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Ii\i. .\Ia.i. iiKn. I';.mi:i:mi.\ (inivikh 



OFDYCKE TIGERS 



l-^") 1 1 1 (). \'. 1 



A History ol the Rei;iiiient and of the Cuiiipuii^iis and 
Battles of the Ariiiv of the Cumberland. 



BY 

CHA1>^I.1^:S '1\ CLARK 

Captain Co. F, 125th O V. I. 



PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE I25tli O V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



COLUMBUS, o. : 

SPAHR & GLENN. 
1895. 



COl'YlilGHT, IMt.'i, 

In the Office of the I>ikii.\kian <>k <om;kI'.ss. 



■:; 



<3 






pkkiwch:. 



'"T'^IIM plan nl' tliis \iilu:iic was adoptcil in ihr Itclirf llial llu' stTvirt-h ol 
I any rc^niiunt, in a lanipai',^! or battle, will In- lirst uiulonstotHt :ind 
X apincciattii i'idih a yt-ntTjil arcouni of the opiTutiims t»f tin- army, 
foliowc"! liy a iiiiin- detailed affouiit <>\ tin- |)art taki-n by that ri'gi- 
iniMit. Ill ih'scribiiij^ ca-npaifiiis and battlt-s, we have tried Id relate in a 
general way wliat was done and wlm diil it. The aei-uunt is drawn fmni 
the oHicial re|)()rts eiiii'My, Init we have been materially aided by the wurk 
of other writers, and especially l)y tiie two volumes prepared by Maj. (Jen. 
J. 1). Co\ — " Atlanta," and "Franklin and Nashville." The labor of pre- 
paring the manuscrijit has been lightened by words of eneonrageinent from 
many comrades, and by valuable contributions, letters and diaries sent by 
Col. David II. MooRi:, Capt. R.\ls.\ C. Hick, C'apt. Stkkn B. Takks. ('aj>t. 
E. G. WiiiiKsiDKs, iSergi. Alhkut Mathew.s. V. \.. <iiii!i:i!i. Wii.i.iam Hkck- 
noLT, (ii:oi;(;K Sti'MI", Scrgt. .TacoI! .Ikwki.i.. Lieut. |i. K. l!i sm and I.ienl. 
Hknky N. I'kni-iki.d. 

Tin: .\iTnoii. 



We wire dircited by I lie Uegimeulal Association to devise and exe- 
cute plans for the publication and sale of this volume to comrades and 
friends of the rcgiinrnt, Having no money in the treasury, it looked like a 
case of making bricks without straw, but we havt- oiu-yt-d <irders. 

The plan of the work, whereby many other regimi-nls besides our 
own ri'ceive credit for heroic service, the excellent description of campaignH 
and battles, the faithful portrayal of army life and experiences, and the 
portraits of <listinguished otlicers of the army in which wc served and of 
the ContV-tlerate army opposed to us, makes this an umisually attractive 
book. We have provideij more copies than are re(|uired to (ill the advancf 
subscription, and reipiest comrades an<I friends to solicit orders for them. 

I I 1 IISON FlT< II, 
l>. K. Bl.V.STOXK. 
< '. I,. ( ill.HKKT. 
< 'iillliiiitlii on I'lllilictltinii. 



XABI.E OK CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. Organization op^ the Regiment. The work of ivcruiting, 
and (les^criptive of camp life and of home life in war time. 

CHAPTER II. "On to the Fkont!" From Ohio to the Army of the 
Cumberland. 

CHAPTER III. Arjiy of the Cumberland. From organization to and 
including the battle of Stone River. 

CHAPTER IV. Franklin and Triune. A general account of operations 
from Feb. 12 to June 23, 1863. 

CHAPTER V. TuLLAHOMA Campaign. An account of the operatioiiis by 
which Rosecran? turned Bragg out of his fortified camp at Tuilahoma. 

CHAPTER VI. Chickamauga Campaign. Crossing the Cumberland 
Mountains, Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain, and the evacu- 
ation of Chattanooga. 

CHAPTER VII. Battle of Chickamauga. A general account of that 
most sanguinary struggle of modern times, followed by fuller accounts 
of Wood's division, and especially of Barker's brigade. 

CHAPTER VIII. Chattanooga. The two months' semi-siege; the cav- 
alry raid on our railroad; the fight at Wauhatchie ; Hooker's battle 
above the clouds; Sherman's assault above the tunnel, and the final 
graiul cliarge on Mission Ridge by the Army of the Cumberland. 

CHAPTER JX. East Tennessee Campaign. Covers the period from the 
battle at Mission Ridge to the opening of the Atlanta cami^aign, includ- 
ing the skirmish at Charleston, Tenn., and the battle of Dandridge. 

CHAPTER X. Atlanta Campaign. Describes the movements of Sher- 
man's army, telling what was done and who did it ; brief descriptions 
of the numerous battles, followed as usual by fuller accounts (^f our 
own regiment, and incidentally of our own brigade and division. 

CHAPTKR XI. A Bio Raid. Hood's grand Hank movement, by which 
lie reached but failed to hold the raih-oad north of Atlanta ; Sherman's 
pursuit; the battle of AUatoona. 

CHAPTER XII. Hood's Campaign in Tennessee. An account of Hood's 
advance, I'esisted by the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps and Wilson's 
cavalry; the battles of Spring Hill, Frani<lin and Nashville; Hood's 
retreat and the pursuit. 

CHAPTER XIII. Opdycke TKiERS in 1805. An account of llic regiment, 
its officers and men, from Jan. 1 to final discharge, Oct. lit; inciden- 
tally of the brigade, division and corps. 

CHAPTKR .\I\'. TuE 125th O. V. I. Association. The organization, 
meetings and pi-oceedings of the Association. 

ROSTER-INDEX. Includes name of each officer and enlisted man wiio 
si-rved in tiie 125th after leaving Ohio, with reference to pages where 
incntioucd, etc. 



MS r ( )b^ 1 *( )W ri\' A ITS/- 



1 :n i( )x c^r"T'Mc^i:Ks;. 



NAMK 

Bvt. Mrii.'. <;oii. Ki-aiik .\>kr« 

<:iilil. A. I", r.iililwiii . 

livt. Mfij. (ii'ii. Ilciiry It. HaiuiiiiH 

<;ol. Milton Itiinu-s 

Krifj. (u'li. .Iidiii IValty 

Bvt. Maj. (it'll. Samiirl lU-atty 

Maj. Uvu. I'liiiik I', lilair 

Uriff. <iL'ii. II. V. Iii>yiiinii. 

Oapt.Ciilli'ii Brailk-y 

Uriii. Gi'ii. I.iithur P. Bradk-y 

Maj. Gen. .1. .M. lirannan 

l^nl. KolK'it I '. Brown 

Maj. !Sam\U'l f. Brown . . 

liovorniiv .lulin Brontjli 

Maj. <ien. Don ( arlo.s ISnvll 

Maj. Gfii. .Kintiro.se K. Biirn>iiU' . 

Brij;. Gen. \V. 1'. Caiiin 

Brig. Gen. Jo.seiili Conrad. 
Maj. Gen. .Iidin M. Corse. 

Brig. Gen. B. K. Cowan 

Maj. Gen. ,larol> I). Co.\ 

Maj. Gen. Tlioiiias I, Criitendeii 
Maj (ieii. George Crook . . . • 



I. S3 
117 



las 

•J!» 
I'.K! 



Maj. 
l!ov. 

Bvl 
Bvt 

Bvt. 
Maj. 
Bvt. 

Maj. 
Brig 
Bvt. 
Maj. 
Maj. 
<Jen. 
Bvt. 



(ien. .Ieller.Min C. DaviN 

rnor William l)enni,s(ni 

Miij. Gen. Wa.sliinglon I.. Klliott. 
Maj. (ien. llngli Kwiiig 

Maj. (ien. .Manniii.g l'"oice. 

Gen. .I«diii O. Foster 

Maj. (ien. John W. Knller 



(ien. .lames A. (iarlield 

Gen. Israel (iarrard 

Maj. Gen. Kenner Garrard 

Gen. .lolm W. Geary. 

(ien. (ionlon (irauger 

riysses S. (iraiit 

Brig. (ien. Charles II. Grosveiior 



IIJ 
;!.'4 
lo:t 
Ml 

IM 
is-j 

ll'.d 
:;is 
|.">i 
l;;.s 
:i.'S 



:!;it; 

.•■.(is 



•JCi'.l 
1S.S 



•JO.'i 

.i ■>•^ 

17 

i.r. 

11)9 



Maj. (ien. Henry W . Ilalleek. 



N»Mt I'AliK 

Brig. (ii-n. ( harle.s (i. Hark«T . -jsi 

Brig. (ien. Benjamin Harrison :M'w> 

Brig. (ien. William B. Ilazen 110 

C(d. llans C. Ileg '.r> 

Col. James T. Holmes. . ■.'-.'l 

Maj. Gen. .losepli Hooker l.'>7 

Maj. (Jen. Oliver (). Howard 186 

Bvt. Brig. (ien. .'^amnel H. Hnr-i .. ISO 

Brig. Gen. Kiehanl \V. .lolm.son .V 

Brig. (ien. Theodore Joiie> liii 

Brig. (ien. I':dwin N. Kirk 1 .7 

Mag. (iiii. .\l. n. l.eg'.;ell Miy 

Maj. (ien. John A. l.ogan. 'itM 

C(d. Kli Long si 

Brig. (ien. William H. I,\ili .s»i 

Col. Arlhiir Me.Xrihiir. . . XIH 

.Maj. (ien. A. Mrll. Me( ook M 

Brig. (ien. Kaiiiel MeCock 262 

Col. Ale.xander .Mellvain 'ii'* 

Brig. (ien. N. C. .Mel-ean :H1 

Maj. (ien. James B. .Mel'lierson 'J'.t:! 

Col. Kol.erl H. (i. Miniy l."> 

Brig. (ien. Jcdin (i. .Mitehell liNi 

Maj. (ien. James S. Negley GTi 

Brig. (ien. Kdward K. Noyc- •.'.s.'i 

Maj. (ien. I'eter.l. Osierhaii- l.%8 

Miij. (ien. .lohn M. I'liliiu r 71 

Maj. (ien. John G. I'arke. Jn* 

Col. (ieorge T. IVrkins 181 

Sergt. Maj. (i. ."^ I'ope •J7.') 

Maj. (ien. T. K. (i. Kaiisom :!II 

Brig. (ien. James W. Ueilly ',12 

Maj. (ien. William S. IJoseerans 27 

Maj. (ien. I.ovell H. Bosseaii. V.i 

Lieut. Gen. John M. .Sholield JKi 

Gen. I'liilip II. . Sheridan 1(11.172 

(ien. William T. Sherman. 221 



■ Sf.> llost.r-In.i.x l..r (...rlniii 



1 ,,l til- 1 ■ .th (). \'. I. 



TJ8T OF PORTRAITS.— f/ft/on Offic/r>'—C(iiiluivnl. 



NAMK I'AGK 

Hvt. Brig. Geu. Isaac R. Sherwood 329 

Brig. Gen. J. W. Sill 80 

Maj. Gen. Henry VV. Sloenm 189 

Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith 359 

Maj. Geu. David S. Stanley 35 

Maj. Geu. James B. Steedmau 82 

Maj (Jen. George Stonemau 311 

Col. William L. Stoughton 163 

Col. Edgar D. Swain 16S 

Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas 87 

Governor David Tod 140 

Col. William R. Tolles 179 

Brig. Gen. Horatio P. Van Cleve 52 



NAMK HAUK 

Brig. Gen. Ferdinaud Van hcrveer 101 

Brig. Geu. George D. Wagner 330 

Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles C. Waleutt 162 

Col. Nathan H. Walworth 152 

Col. James Watson 296 

Col. George Web.ster 316 

Col. Horatio N. Whitbeck 286 

Maj. Gen. John T. Wilder 79 

Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson 320 

Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Wood 102 

Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles R, Wood.s 1.59 

Col. William H. Yovuig 1.53 



CONKEDKRAXE OKKICERS. 



Maj. Gen. William H. Bate. 176 

Geu. Braxton Bragg 28 

Maj. Gen. John C Breckinridge 113 

Lieut. Gen. Simou B. Buckner 98 

Lieut. Geu. Benjamin F. Cheatham 325 

Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne ."31 

Lieut. Geu. Nathan B. Forrest 25 

iJeut. Geu. William J. Hardee 72 

Maj. (Jen. T. C. Hindman 103 

Gen. John B. Hood .us 

Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson 100 

Gen. Jcseph E. Johnston 222 

Maj. Geu. J. B. Kershaw 123 



Maj. Geu. E. M. Law 101 

Lieut. Geu. Stephen D. Lee 310 

Lieut. Geu. James Longstreet 88 

Mtij. Gen. William W. Loring 363 

Lieut. Gen. Leonidas Polk 265 

Brig.. Gen. Preston Smith 97 

Maj. Geu. Carter L. Stevenson 364 

Lieut. (Jen. Ale.xauder P. Stewart 91 

Maj. Gen. Earl Van born 313 

Maj. (ien. W. H. T. Walker 312 

Maj. (ien. Edward C. Walthall 361 

Lieut. Geu. Joseph Wheeler 145 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Mattlelield of Chiekauiauga 89 

Battlefield of Franklin . . 331 

Battlefield of Mis.sion Ridge 136 

Battle Scene 372 

Chickamauya Monumeut— r.lth O. V. I. 317 



Cliiekamauga Mon\uiient — 65th O. V. I. 308 
Chickamauga Monument — 125th O. V. I. 443 

Lee and Gordon's Mill 96 

Suodgrass House 134 

Maps 220. 244, 251 , 319 



HWK i.VUl^: OKCJrAXlZA'lK )XS 

In which THH 12Stll O. y. 1. SHRVHI). 

To Ji NK S, ]Si\:\. 

Aniiii of Ihf Ohio Maj. (Jen. (ioKDnN (iuAMiKw, Coiii(l';j. 

Tenth Dirixioii — Brig. Cleii. ('. C. Gii-ukkt. 

ThirtiiJourlU liriijinh —(.\)\. Wil.l.lAM V. Hkid; Col. (>. H. r.\Y.\K. 

Rt'ijiininlx in Thirt!/-J(ntrth nriijiiih' '.(Stii. lll'.tli, I'-'lst, l'_'4tli aii.l IJ-Mli (»hio. 

Ji NK s TO ()( Toi!i:i; s, isci:;. 

Tmutii-jinft Arini/ ''.)/•; /.s -Maj. (icii. Thomas L. Ckittk.nmkn. 
Firxl Diri.tion — Brig. Cn'ii. Thomas. I. Wood. 
Third Bri<jii(h'—Co\. Ciiakmcs (i. Hakkki;. 

fiefjimeula in Third Brigade — Snl Kentucky: (Utii. (i.">lli ami rj.">tli ojiin; (.ih 
Pxitt cry. Ohio l.ight Artillery. 

OtTOHEK S, 1S(>.'., TO SkI'TKMIIKU !». ISti-J. 

Fonrlh Ann;/ Corps — Maj. (ion. (Jokdon ( Iijanoki; ; Maj. (Jen. <».(». IImwmm); 

Maj. (Ji'ii. David S. Sta.nlky. 
Sramd Diri.-iion ^Ma'}. (ion. V. H. Siikkidan ; Brig. Cu'ii. John Nkwto.v. 
Third Briijmh- — Brig. (icMi. Ciiaki.ks <i. II arkek; Brig. (icn. Litiikk I*. 

15i;ai)i,i:y. 
Rr(jiniinls in Third Urii/od, L'-_'inl. L'Tth, 4'Jii(l. .Mst ami 7!tli I!lin.>i>; i'.id 

Kcntiifky; (l-ltli, (.'ith and IJ'itli Ohio. 

Octohku '.'. 1S(>4, to Si;i'tkmi!i:k iTi, 1S().">. 

l-'iiiirtli Ann;/ Cnrjis Mn'}. ( ini. !>. S. Stam.ky ; .Maj. (I en. Thomas .1. Wu. m ; 

Maj. Cien. I). S. Stanley. 
Stroud Division — Brig. Clen. Geoi{<;e D. \Va(.ni:i:; Brig. (icii. \V. h. Ki.i.iott; 

Bvt. Maj. (lOii. Kmkk.son Oi'dyike; Brig. (u-n. .Ioseimi Conkad. 
First Brif/adr — Brig. Ucii. Kmeijson Oimiycke; Col. John Hi-.s.skm.. 
Rrglmcids in Firxt Brigade- -'i\) . I \\m\ 1S(;.">: :5()th, 44th. Tonl, 74th and SSth 

Illinois; 24th Wisconsin and r_'r>th Ohio. After .Iinic. ISd."): •!«;tl> 

and 44th Illinois: 4iith and "STth Indiana: ■JfUh and l-_'.'>th Ohio. 



1. 1 ST OK BATTLKS, 



111 addition to nunierous skirniislies and conibats, the 
125tli 0. V. I. was engaged in tlie following battle^*: 

1. Franklin, Tenn., April 10, 1863. 

2. Chickamauga, Ga., September 19, 20, 1863. 

3. Mission Ridge, Tenn., November 25, 1863. 

4. Dandridge, Tenn., January 17, 1864. 

5. Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 8, 9, 1864. 

6. Resaca, Ga., May 14, 15, 1864. 

7. Adairsville, Ga., May 17, 1864. 

8. Cassville, Ga., May 19, 1864. 

9. New Hope Church, Ga., May 27 to June 4. 1864. 

10. Pine Mountain, Ga., June 14, 15, 1864. 

11. Muddy Creek, Ga., June 18, 1864. 

12. Kenesaw Mountain, June 19, 23 and 27, 1864. 

13. Nancy's Creek— Buck Head, Ga., July 18, 1864. 

14. Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864. 

15. Siege of Atlanta, July 28 to August 31, 1864. 

16. Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. 

17. Lovejoy Station, Ga., Septem])er 2-4, 1864. 
IS. Spring Hill, Tenn., November 29, 1864. 

19. Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864. 

20. Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 16, 1864. 



''Opdvckk Tiobrs/' 



CllAl'Kli I. 



()i;«. \.\i/ATi()X oi' Tin; i;i:<iiMKXT 



(IIIIKKS IIIMM I AMI'.) 



Camp Cleveland, Sept. 1, 1S(;2. 
Dear Tum: — 

Your intbnnatioii is corroct ; I am a soldici-. You must 
select anotlier room mate for tlie fall term. Mv school i\n\^ 
are probably emled. Fatbcr Al>ra- 
liam called for three hiiiidred thou- 
sand more volunteers, to serve for 
three years, or during the war.* 
My mind was settled to become one 
of till' number as soon as I read the 
call. My parents plead with me to 
stay in school one year louijer. but I 
feai"e(l the war mii:'lit end hefoi'e thr 
year exjiired. We ai'ii'ued the ease 
for several weeks, for, thoutjh re- 
solved to go, I wished to secure their 
consent, and tiiially sueei-eded. ll 
was at the l)reakfast tahle on the 

2'2nd of last month, when T mentioned the iiaiiu-s of siveral 
other boys of my own age who hatl eidisted, that my father 
said: "1 would rather go myself, and send you back to 
school."" Turning fiuickly towards mother 1 saw an unusual 
paleness and an expression of pain on her face, and knew at 
once that they had talked the matter over and decided to h't 
me go. I shall not trv to descrihe mv own sensations or 




coi.oNKi, Oi-nvcKK (In;:!). 



*(all of .Iiilv f.. isc: 



2 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

wliat followed. Before night your old cliuni was enrolled in 
Captain Bruif's company, and here we are in camp, drilling 
eight hours daily. It is hard work, worse than harvesting, 
hut we are told that when we get " set up," so as to stand 
and walk correctly, the drill will cease to irritate one's 
muscles and become an agreeable exercise. At present this 
particular soldier would prefer to play town ball. Will tell 
you more about camp lite in my next; must get ready for 
squad drill just now. Good-bye. Write often. 

Faithfully yours. 



Camp Cleveland, Sept. 16, 1862. 
Dear Tom: — 

We have just been mustered in as Company A, 125th 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. We expected to go with the 105th 
Regiment, but it seems that ten other 
companies secured the requisite number 
of men before we did, and we are left 
^« 4m ^^ ^^it- The Governor ordered another regi- 

'\. -^m ment to be recruited from the northeast 

corner of the State, and assigned us to it. 
I must introduce you to our officers, those 
^^S* ^s^^^ J liave seen. Do you remember in the 
T^ account we read of the battle of Shiloh, 

what was said about Capt. Emerson 0}»- 
dycke, Company A, 41st O. V. I.? I do 
very well. He was acting as Major, and was wounded, a 
minnie ball })assing through his arm. His regiment had a 
rough ex])erience, but came out of tbe tiglit coxercd with 
glory, a result to which Oiulycke's heroic conduct and good 
judgment contributed not a little. He is to be our Colonel. 
lie looks like a hero, six feet in stature, a tine figure, grace- 
ful and quick i.i movement, blue e3'es of the kind that seem 
to look through and see just what you ai'c thinking: aiul liow 




(1)1.. .Iii>Ki'ii l{i;riK, 



ORCiAXf/.A'J'/OX. 



tlii'V do riasli wlicii :iii a\\k\\;ii'<l t'cllnw o-ocs wi-niiu- i,ii drill! 
llis voice is iimiu'iisc. A tln»iisaiid iiifii in liin' will readily 
hear liis coiiiniaiids. \\\< lionic is in WaiTcn, 'rriiinltnll 
County. 

Hon. K. r>. Taylor, a |ir(»iniiu'iil lawyei' i •!' W'aiTcii, i> to 
be Lieutenant-Colonel. Those who know him say no i>ettei' 
selection eould have heen made from eivil lite. Kor Major 
we have drawn on the famous 7th Ohio, and taken Ca]>t. 
George L. Wood of Oom}»any 1>. II*- 
looks every inch a soldier and hero, 
thouu^h he is now sutferiuii,- from the 
effects of a wound ri'ceivt'd in tlu- 
battle of Port Repuhlic dune l», 
1862. Our C'onii>any otheers are 
Oapt. Joseph Brutf, aged 80, ot' 
(^)naker extraction, I tliiid< : well 
edui-ated; a ([uiet hut tirm-aiiitearing 
man, very much in earnest in his 
work, insisting on i)roniptness and 
good order. l)Ut kind lu'arted and 

fatherly in his demeanor towards us ma.i. <.i.. 1 ^ i--.. 

when off duty. 

First Lieut. lvo])ert 15. Stewart, auccl i^tl. handsome, smil- 
ing and jolly when things go right: sharp, i»rom)tt, imperious 
in reproof at the sightest infraction of discipline or want of 
attention on drill. 

Second Lieut. Alexander Dickson, aged 24, has a good 
strong face, a fine iigure. makes no mistakes on drill, nuiin- 
tains the dignity becoming the wearer <jf shoulder strajis 
with an easy grace that excites no envy, ami he alrca<ly c<uu- 
mands tlie respect and has tin- good will of every nicmhcr of 
tlie company. 

How do 1 like camp life? Well, that is hardly a perti- 
nent question. We do not don Mue coats and shouhh-r 
muskets, forsake home, and ahandon control of our own 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



movements for three years because tlie life of a soldier is in 
itself better or to be better liked than student life. But I 
will tell you something about the cam}), and let you form 
your own conclusions. It is located across a narrow valley 
from the edge of the city. We live in barracks, constructed 
with unplaned pine boards, having a tier of wide shelves 
across the end, like apple bins in a cellar, one above the 
other, on which we sleep, and a narrow shelf along each side 

that we use for tables; we stand 
while eating, having no ciiairs. We 
have straw and grey wool blankets 
for beds, and oui' knapsacks serve 
for jiillows. Our table furniture 
consists of one tin plate, one tin 
cup, and a knife, fork and spoon for 
each man. Bread is sliced on the 
shelf and placed beside the plates; 
meat, vegetables and soup are 
brought in from the cook shanty in 
the large camp kettle in which they 
are'cooked and ladled out upon the 
plates. Coffee comes in the same| kind of a kettle, and we 
dip in with oui- tin cups. So much for the government fare. 
We get extras — ]iiilk, butter, })ies, etc. — according to our 
finances and appetite. To tell the honest truth, I look for- 
ward to a total absence of the extras when we go to the front 
with some misgivings. There goes the supper call now. 
Good-bye. I'm hungry. 




<'Ai'r. K. li. Si i;\VAi;-| ilMll). 



Camp Cleveland, Oct. 10, 1862. 
My Dear Captain: — 

Your letter received. Glad to hear from old friends at 
the front. The victory at Perryville i)roves to have been less 
decisive than the peo})le longed for, and, as usual, the news- 



0R(;A.\ l/.ATIOX 



pajtors contain sonic ci'iticisnis. I find the woi'k of orcjaniz- 
inii' a new rcii-inicnt (|uit(' a ditliiMit task. It i> almost a 
inontli since niv lirst coni|iaiiv \\a> mustered in. ami none ot' 
the otliei's are I'cadv yet. tlioiii^-ji ijn'ec captain> lia\e each 
enouii'h iiu'Ii to insui'c success, while three othci's are loss 
ho[)etiil. I ha\"e only seven companies >tarted. and do not 
know whci'c till' i't,'niaininii" tliree comiianics are to conic 
from. The tci'i'itory assiu;ned to me as recruit in4' ii'rotind 
is limited in extent, and lias turnislu'd several i"ei;"inieiits 
ali'eady. When the call tor tioojis was issued in July, ()hio 
a! I'ca dy had ciu-hty-ciii-ht rcu-iniciits ot' in la lit y\ in the lie Id. and 
also ;i t'air proportion of caxalry and 
artillery, makinii' in all over one 
hundred thousand men. rndci'the 
present call, tliirty-eii;-ht regiments 
ot infanti-y, numhei'ed from SiHli 
to li'tith. have hceii autlntrizt'd, the 
liii;'lier niimliers hciiii:' a>si<4'iieil after 
one ot the lower was ahout ready 
for the tield. We tollowcd the 
l<)-")th ()liio, which scciii-cd ten full 
comiianics from the same territory 
in a few weeks. I'he lJ4tli is in 
the same camp with us, and are 
gettiiiij; alouii' ahout as we are. If 

tlie two were consolidated we could till and u'o t(» the ticid 
very soon, l)nt tliat would invoK'i' the sacritice of amhitious 
otKcers who lia\'c rendered \aluahlc sci'\ice. and raise (pies- 
tions of preci'di'iici' ditliciilt to atl'pist, and i> an cxpccliciit 
not to be adopted while there is ho[ie of success for l>oth. 
There is 1)ut ojie advantaii'o in slow irrowtli. The men who 
come to camp tirst hccoiiic thorouii-hly drilled and disci- 
plined, and that makes it easier ami <piickei- work to hi-ino- 
the recruits up to the standard of etiicicnt soldiers. I would 
forego that advantage most joytully for the privilege ot 



1 


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'.: ■ 




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f> #ri «■ 


JEJt ** 


: 




fit ^ 


V- 


.'^-^'^ " *-^l 


1 



Cm] . K. !•. Hail- . I- 



6 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

joining you next week at the head of a full regiment, even 
if the men did not know enough about war to right face. 
Write often ; I'm always hungry for news from my old com- 
rades. Remember me to friends in the 41st. 

Faithfully yours, 

E. 0. 



Camp Cleveland, Nov. 1, 1862. 
Dear Tom: — 

It is six weeks since Company A was mustered in, and 
the second company was mustered in only to-day. Two 

others have nearly enough men, 
and hope to muster in Ijefore long, 
while three others have not more 
than half the required number. 
The company mustered in to-day 
lias been acting as the color com- 
pany, and is designated Company 
C in order to retain the colors. Its 
otHcers are Capt. Edward P. Bates, 
First Lieut. Hemon li. Harmon and 
Second Lieut. Ridgley C. Powers, 
all three bright men and popular 
officers. jS'either of the three are 
over twenty-four or live years of age, and Harmon is ])rob- 
ably not yet a voter. Bates and Harmon served in the 19th 
Ohio three-months' service. Powers graduated from college 
last dune. 

We are getting <piitc }>roticient in the manual of arms, 
company evolutions and skirmish drill. Having so few com- 
panies we have not tried battalion drill very often. We are 
now using bugle calls instead of oral commands on skirmish 
drill, and the boys learn the calls quite readily. The one we 
like to hear most is recall from drill, and the next best is 
the dinner call. Reveille is good music, but would be more 




cm't. i;. c. I'ciwKKs iisr.ii 



ORCAM/..iriOX. 7 

jHt[»reciate(l it" it niiiK' a littK- later than >iiiiii>('. Tattoo 

tiiids lis ready tor Itcd most niulits, and a niajoiliy of tin* 

liijhts are out ln'tori- '-talis." I do nut like i:uartl duty, 

especially at niu'lit, Imt lortiinatfly my turn doos not coinr 

often. The »;'uai'ds are stationc(l to 

keep men from ii;oinii- to the city 

at niii'lit. Some of tlinn i:-o all 

the sami', fitlicr hy slippiiiii- ai-ross 

the line, or hy arranii't'inciit with a 

coniraiK' mi i;'uard, who (.'.\|ircts the 

favor to hi- reeii»i'(X-ate(h We can 

get }>asses in day time, a few at a 

time, and T prefei' tliat to the h»ss of 

sleep and risk of capture and con- 

tinement in the guard house, with 

extra duty under guard cleaning up 

tlie cami*. 

Up to thite I liave Inid no occasnui to respond to the 
surgeon's call. Next week I will get a furlough to visit my 
home, and will then see you. I'ntil then gootl-hye. 

Sincerely yours, 




(Mr, A. Vkomans (IstVli. 



Ca.mi' t"i.i:vi;LAM>. Nov. I'li, lst;2. 
1)i:ah Tii.m: — 

Two more ctunpanies have been mustered into the liotli, 
and 1 will introduce you to tlu'ir otticers. of whom you will, 
doubtless, get good reports if tuir corropondeiice is main- 
tained. Company 1) was mustered in on the 17tli inst. Its 
ottieers are Cajtt. Albert Veonuuis. of Warieii : First Lieut. 
Elmer Moses and Second l^ieut. Charles Uai'shman, all tall, 
tine-looking gentlemen. Lieutenant Moses was a sergeant 
in Company A, 41st < ). A'. 1.. and receives pronn»tion. lu) 
doubt, from having won the go<)d opinion of the i-olonel, 
wiio, you will remember, comes to us from that regiment. 



8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Company D was mustered in to-day. Capt. Isaac D. 
Spauldiug, First Lieut. Marshall M. Eichards and Second 
Lieut. Ephraim P. Evans are Portage County men, and, 
judging from appearances, Avill prove to be popular and suc- 
cessful officers. 

We have gained three companies in two months. At 
that rate of progress we will not 
get to the front before next Spring. 
There are three other companies pro- 
jected, but neitlier has over lifty 
men. There is also a camp rumor 
that negotiations are in progress for 
a consolidation of our own and 
another regiment of about equal 
strength now in camp at Manslield. 
If that is accomplislied, it may be- 
come necessary to decline all holiday 
invitations and prospects. We begin 
to think ourselves veterans, and im- 
agine that even regulars would iind it ditticult to outshine us 
on drill. My health is perfect and appetite corresponds. 

Faitli fully youi's, 




U|;N. II. I'.. I'.\NMN( 



Camp Mansfield, Dec. 1, 1862. 
Dear Cousin John: — 

Your very interesting letter came to my hands to-day, 
having been forwarded from my home. If com})liance with 
your request for a full and detailed account of my life and 
experiences since we parted would give you half the pleasure 
I had from reading your account of yourself and other col- 
lege chums, it would be ungenerous not to attempt the role 
of autobiography; l)ut I fear my natural aversion to writing 
and inability to draw on imagination for materials whei'ewith 
to embellish the narrative would rob it of that charm which 



ORG AX //.ATI ox. 



ynur fiicik' |»en sfives to all vmir Icftt'i-s. However, you shall 
liavi' some of the ])roiniiieiit fju-ts in the rereiit careei* of 
your soldiei' eoiisln. 

I left eolK'ii'e with lull intent to enlist iind y>\\\ "M 
friends in the Kith < ). \'. 1. lieaciied home in the niicht : 
next morning learned that there was ;i call for st-veral shoi-t- 
term regiments, and that a s(juad ot ai»out twenty hoys from 
the village, ineluding two of my cousins, had enlistiMl tor 
one of tliese I'egiments. it i'e(|uiretl imt little iier>iiasi(in t(» 
indnee me to join them. 

We left hoiiu' on the same date, honnd Imi' ('ani|i ('hase. 
The hurry of preparation kept oiii- 
minds from dwelling on the dai'U 
side of things, and motliers and 
sisters husied iheniselves getting 
togethei- litth' things that might he 
useful in camp, hut frcun time to time 
their faees would show too ]p|aiidy 
what it i-ost them to sujiport the 
Union. Long hefore tiu' train ar- sa 
rivi'd the entire popuhuH' was gath- 
ered ahout the I'ailway station, and 
we reei'uits for onei- in our lives 
wore ohjeets of puldie interest. 

It w^as gratifying to he so kindly gret-ted hy neighhoi's, 
old and young, and it helped t<» keejt our spirits up to jiar. 
.I(din. I shall nevei' forget my mother's face as it appeared 
when 1 turned away to hoard the train. She had lu-eii pale 
hut (piiet and tirm, trying to eoiieeal her disti'ess. and suc- 
ceeded l»ravely until the last moment, wdu-n. as we }»arti'd. an 
expression of jiain and despair eame into her eye< and upon 
lier face tliat 1 hope nevei- to see again. 

The train was well tilled with recruits, and aecession.^i to 
the raid<s A\ere I'eceived at every station. ( )n arrival at 
Cohnnhus, a committee condueted us to a ro(un neai' the 




<'A1T. Stii.n H. 1'm:k> (1.h<'>3). 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



depot, whore we \vere supplied with hot coffee and sand- 
wiches, provided by patriotic citizens. Xext we marched 
to the Htate House, and our party slept, at least tried to 
sleep, on the tloor of the corrider, between the Supreme 
Court room and Law Library ; but the dignity and grandeur 
of our surroundings failed to compensate for the absence of 
bedding. 

We were a tired and seedy-looking crowd as w^e formed 
line at (hiybreak and marched off to camp. On arrival we 
hastened to tind the quartermaster and commissary, who 
counted the squad, tilled blank requisitions for camp kettles 

and pans, fuel and food, and left us 
standing in line wdiile the papers 
went to headquarters for approval. 
In the course of an hour we were 
assigned to a barrack — you would 
call it a shanty — and, in course of 
time, received rations. Next day 
our S(|uad joined similar groups 
from Knox and Guernsey Counties, 
the tliree making a full company, 
and then elected officers, one from 
each county named, and were as- 
LiEUT..co,..i..H.MuouK(i8M.. _^.^^^^^^ .^^ Company I of the 85th 

O. V. 1. Five regiments were organized in the camp within 
a few days, 84th to 88th inclusive. On muster-in we were 
provided with uniforms, guns and equipments, and did our 
best, by judicious exchanging, to make the clothes tit. 
You will not care for a description of life in a recruiting 
rendezvous. 

AVe remained at Camp Chase for several weeks, engaged 
in drilling and guarding prisoners. There were several thou- 
sand of the latter contined within a stockade: that is, tlieir 
part of the camp is enclosed by a very high board fence, near 
the top of which is a platform, on which the sentinels stand 




ORGAXl/..\riO.\ 



guard. In. Inly we went to K»'iitucky, iiial<iii_u' sli«»rt lialts 
first at Cviitliiaiia ami au'aiii at Li'xiiiiftoii, aii«l lir<ni<ilit n|> 
filially at I-'raiiktoii, wlicro wc Itivoiiacki'd in the State ilmisc 
yai'd and rcniaiiird tor sonu' weeks, taking:- tnrn><'n picket 
duty, drillinii' a littlo, lioldiui; (Ircss parades lor the editicallon 
of the c'iti/A'iis, and enjoyiuii tlie liospitalify ol" unionist fami- 
lies. On OIK' occasion we made a rapid mareli on a hot (hiy 
to intercept a hoily of the encuiys eavahy. and met tiie hos- 
tile horsemen a fi'W miles t'roiu the city. JJotli sides halted. 
Our force formed liiu' iironiptly, and a section of artillei'v 
iinlimt)*'i'e(l and openeil tire. The enemy was prohaMy 
advised as to the streiiii'th and ( har- 
acter of our force: at all events, 
they halted only lonu" enoii<:li to 
develoji our [»ositioM, then turnecl 
oft' to oiii' side and delihei'ately rode 
around us, in plain siu'lit. hut too 
faraway for etfi-ctive musketry tire. 
We lined up to a stone fence, think- 
ing tliey might intend a chariTi', hut 
they hud otlier l)nsinessto atteml to. 
and soon disa[>peari'<l. We marched 
to a railway line, and were taken 
hack to the city on cars. 

At this time there was great excitt-nicut on account >d" 
Bragg's nioveuieiit i>n L<uiis\'ille and Kirhy Smith s advance 
against Cincinnati. We were taken hy train to Louisville, 
and then, on exi»irati(Ui of our term of servit-e, returm-d to 
Columbus, Ohio, for muster-out. 'IMie sTth t ». \'. 1. was 
mustered out at the same date. Its Colonel, lleiiiy 1'.. Ihin- 
ning, was authorized to organize a new regiment lor three 
years, under tlu' call issue<l in duly, and to reudczvtuis at 
Manslield. Nearly all of the Kimx and Wayne County men 
in our com})any re-enlisted at once, and as our captain, Steeii 
B. Parks, was from Knox County, we naturally fell into tlie 




C\|-| MS \\||ITK>II>F>- |1W2). 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



new 87tb. We found in Camp Mansfield tlie 120th Ohio 
just rea<ly for tlie liekl, and the 112th Eegiment not nearly 
so prosperous. 

Up to date the 87th has made slow progress in recruit- 
ino". The reo-iments tirst recruited under the r)resent call 
seem to have taken about all the men and boys who care to 
volunteer this fall. Many of the boys say they will go to 

school this winter and enlist for the 
spring cam[)aigns. David H. Moore, 
who was Captain of Company A in 
the old 87th, is to l)e our Lieutenant- 
Colonel. Edward G. Whitesides, 
who served in the 87th, is to be 
Adjutant. So far four captains 
have been a[)[>ointed, Steen B. 
Parks, Calton C. Baugh, Daniel A. 
Stinger and Sterling Manchester, but 
neitlier captain has men enough, the 
total force being only about two 
' '" " ' """" ""'■ hundred. It is said that we are to 

be sent to Cleveland and merged into another regiment; and 
there may be some truth in the report, for no furloughs are 
given and recruiting parties are returning to camp. No 
doubt we will meet betV^re long, and surely at Christmas tide 
if not before. Write often. 

Faithfully yours, 




Camp Cleveland, Dec. 5, 1862. 
Deau Tom: — 

We have been reinforced. The 87th O. V. I., four small 
companies, marched into camp to-day, and it is understood 
will be merged into the 125th. Negotiations are now in 
progress to determine which officers shall be retained. The 
87th men have served a sliort term and they show it. Their 



ORCAXr/.A'lIOX. 



»3 



clotlu's tit, their belts do not appear to diat'e: wlicii a»iii'ii»'»l 
to bai-racks, tliev broke ranks niiietlv and wwv at lionie 
without exi-itenient or eontusion : tht-ii- ofKcers arc <rood- 
h)(d<iii'4' NMMinii" men. who scciii to know their hii-incss. Ai- 
toii'ethcr \vc ai*' I'axoralilv impressed by thi- mw arii\als, and 
hope aiiotiier Kit of tiic >anic tpnditv nniy lie found cie huiij-. 
We tire of this camp ami loiiu- for i-hauii-e, Init (h» not liope 
for nnii'chin^' (trih'rs until the reii'inu'ut secures its lull ipiota 
of nu'U. 



Cami' ('i,i:vii,.\Nn, \^vv. 2-'), 1S(;2. 
Di-AR Tom: — 

T1ku\' has licen a liX'iu'ral coiisoli(hiti(Ui of detachments, 
and we now have i'ii;dit companies. ("()h)nel Ihinninu's four 
detaehmeiits went toijether ami 
formed two full eouipanies, 1'] an<l 
Y . The ottieers of Conniauy \\ \\w 
('apt. (". ('. T>au-h. First Lieut. 
Daniel A. JStini;-er and Seeond Lieut. 
Albert Barnes, all of Knox County. 
The officers of Comiiany Fare ('apt. 
Steen F>. Parks, First Lieut. David 
IIunii)lirey and Seeond Lii'iit. 
Charles T. (.'lai'k. All are yomii:' 
men exet'[itini;' Captain IJauiih. ami 
liuve been in service, Stinu'cr and 
Barnes in the 4tli 0.\ . L, ami the 
otiiers in the 8oth O. \'. I. Captain Mam-hester retires, but 
says he will try au'ain at the lii>t opjiorf unity, and hopes to 
win a t-aittaincy. 

The renuiininu" thri-e companies started f(U' the Il'-mIi 
have l)een (.-onsolidated into two, ami mu>terei| in as ('om|ia- 
nies G and IL 

Tlie officers of Company (i are ("apt. William Cary 




c Ml. \V. c. Hi NT> I W..!). 



14 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Bunts, First Lieut. William W, Cushing and Second Lieut. 

Martin Y. B. King, all of Mahoning County and young men. 

King comes from the 19tli O. V. I. 

The officers of Company H are Capt. Anthon}' Vallender, 

late of the Prussian Army ; First Lieut. Biley M. Merrill and 

Second Lieut. Francis Hendry, 

It has been decided that Lieutenant-Colonels Taylor and 
Moore will both retire and Banning 
is to take the Lieutenant-Colonelcy, 
leaving Opdycke Colonel and Wood 
Major. Edward G. Whitesides is to 
be Adjutant and Abner B. Carter 
Quartermaster. The latter served in 
the same capacity in the 87th. The 
staff organization will be completed 
by the muster-in of Henry McHenry 
as Surgeon and John E. Darby as 
Assistant Surgeon. 

The regiment now presents a 
tine appearance on drill and parade. 

A number of officers and men liave spoken for leave of 

absence to go home during the holiday season, and you may 

look out for me on Christmas morning. 

Faithfully yours, 




M. lll.NK^ 1^ 



Camp Clevklaxd, Jan. 1, 1863. 
Dear Mother: — 

The telegram sent last evening to notify yon of my ina- 
bility to get away was worded so as to give some hopes of 
better luck for to-day. My leave of absence had l)een signed 
and was in my pocket, and I was busy preparing for the trip 
when an orderly came in with a message from the Colonel to 
the effect that all leaves of absence and furloughs were sus- 
pended, nnirching oi-ders having been received, oi- i-ather 



ORC.Wl/.lTfOX 



15 



orders to In- ri':i«ly to moxc at a lnoliu-iit's notice. It is pi'oli- 
al)U' that tin' ii'i-oat battle now in ]iro<i-iTs-> near M iirtVrcsl>oi-o, 
Tciin.. lias iiKJiiccil tlie ofder as a in'i'cautioiiaiy iiifasiu'*', 
and that it may he connt crniaiided in tlic event of a I'nion 
victoiT. Ill iliai ease you will sec nic within a tew da\s, tor 
I'm determined to visit yon het'oi'i' u-oinii- to the front it' it i> 
jiossihle to do sf). Xo donht similaf or(h'rs have heen i:i\rii 
in all recruitiiii;- camjis. and thousands ot' mothers have had 
tlieir Xew Year's dinner and festivities spoiled, while thou- 
sands of homesiek l)oys are writing- letters of similar import 
t(» this one. After all, our mothers will be less distressed 
than the mothers of the bovs now in lioseeran>" armv. ^' ^' 



C'a.mi' C'i.i:vi:i. \Nh. .Ian. -J. lst;:5. 
Dkar To.m: — 

We are under orders foi' i)ixie. I'^veryt hiiii:- packed. 
We eould slinu' kiiapsaeks and mareh out of camp (Ui tive 
minutes' notiei'. Tliere is a well-detiiied fear that it will 
prove a false alarm, and that is pred- 
icated (as Profi'ssor IF. woidd say) 
on the fact that wi- havi' oidy eii^ht 
companies; but our otHcers are 
anxious to tjet away, ami may sm- 
ceed. The Governor is on our sidi', 
and [iromises to furnish the two ail- 
ditional companies after we go to 
the tield. We have lost a o:<»o(l 
many men by desertion, a few from 
sickness and a few more i»y transter 
to cavalry reu-imeiits. so that not 
over six "hundred are present to,- < ^.^. r.r.MK,: m...k. ,iv.:,. 

<luty out of 7-')l enlisti'd men musterecl in. The deserter- 
were men piiki'd u[i in the city, aiid came to u> through \\a 




i6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



ettbrts of wai'd or townsliip committeemen, who hired them 
to enlist in oi-der to till up the ward or township quota. We 
call such fellows bounty jumpers, and perhaps it is just as 

well for the reputation of the regi- 
ment that they are gone. We 
expect to go to Kentucky or Ten- 
nessee, because our marching orders 
came with the iirst news of Rose- 
crans' advance on Murfreesboro, and 
there seems to be some connection 
between the events. However, we 
do not know anything about it, and 
have been in service long enough to 
realize the folly of inquiring. 

Sergt. Freeman Thoman just 
came in with the latest news. We 
are to march to-morrow morning sure, and must send home 
everything of value that cannot be carried. As I have a 
package to send will close liere. Good-bye. 

Faithfully your friend. 




Cai'T. Aj.i'..\aM'|;i: Iiukson il.sO'i). 




<'Ai'r. Albkhi Ykii.mans, H U'^V')- 



(•ii.\i"i'i:u II 



O.N To 11 ll". l"l;o.\l-. 



(r.XTi:A<Ts riMiM makv. istir?.) 



•laiiuai'y ^5. — The l"J')tli ()liio iiiai'du'd this iiKH-iiiiii:;, 
througli deep iniid, tVoiii Cainji Clevt-laiid to the railway 
depot, and boarded cars loi" C'ineiiiiiati. The tiaiii eoiisists 
of ordinary passcnijer coaclies, in which eacli scat is occupied 
by tw(^ men, the guns and accoutrements, knapsacks and 
liaversacks making a ei-owded con- 
dition in which it is (piite ini[(o>sihK' 
to secure com tort. 

The boys express theii' dissatis- 
faction in hmguage more forcibU' 
than polite. The ])hicing of guards 
at the (h)ors and the order re(|uii"iiig 
company officers to ride witli th« 
men and see that they remain in the 
cars, is generally' regarded as an un- 
necessary exercise of authority over 
free-born America us. -■= 

.January 4. — We left the cai-s 
this morning at the Little Miami dejiot in Cincinnati, and 
marched to the boat landing, advertising ourselves a new 
regiment, as every new regiment invariably does, by march- 
ing, with music and in the best ot" ordi'r, a roundabout wa}' 
through some of the pi-iiuijial streets. 

Arrivi'd at the wliarl' we marched on lioanl the trans- 
port. Guards were stationed forthwith under ordei's to let 
no one go on shtjre, and in a short time we were < n route 
down the Ohio. 




'Ki'i.N I , I: \ \i,i i: h 



♦NoTK. — Later in its cnn'or the regiment was time aii<l apaiii trnns|it)rte<l liy rail, 
packed closely in and on top of freight cars, and no one thout'ht of KmnililinK' ationt 
accom«Mlations. 



i8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



An order had been issued to furnish tents, camp equip- 
age and new Springlield rifles at Newport, Ky., and we found 
the outfit on the boat. The guns and accoutrements are 
first-class. The ammunition consists of a conical ball of lead 
fixed in one end of a paper tube, the latter filled with powder 
and the end folded down to retain it. In loading, the soldier 
carries the cartridge to his mouth, bites ofi:' the end, pours 
the powder into the muzzle of the gun, presses the paper and 
ball down with his thumb and then rams it to the bottom 
with an iron ramrod; the percussion cap, carried in a sepa- 
rate box attached to the belt, is then placed on the nipple. 

Each movement is distinct and 
always performed in the same way. 
The order. " Load in nine times ; 
load ! " sends every hand to the car- 
tridge box, then to the mouth, then 
to the ramrod, and on through the 
process in unison as perfect as the 
motions of a musician beating time. 
I am on duty as oificer of the 
guard. As it was impossible to sleep 
on the train last night, the prospect 
of a second niglit of wakefulness 
was not relished, l)ut, fortunately I 
am to sleep. Worn out by the tedious ride from Cleveland 
and the duties of the day, the men have retired early and 
will sleep soundly. About 9 p. m. Colonel Opdycke inquired 
about the location of the guards and their instructions, and 
then said : •' Lieutenant, 3'ou can leave orders for the Ser- 
geant to call you if necessary, and go to sleep." If that 
order would hold good for three years, or during the war, it 
would be a great comfort. Several officers were with the 
Colonel in the cabin, and one of them inquired, "Where 
are we going, Colonel?" The (.olonel replied: "To the 
Army of the Cumberland 1 hope." 




I.iiuT. ('iiAiii.Ks T. ci.AiiK i1n;:!i 



ox TO ?///■: FA'OXT. 



»9 



"Wliydf) voii pictV'!' tliat army t<> ( J rant's r "" was the 
next (jiK'stioii. "Grant's work will Itt- dniu' w Ihh tlir Missis- 
sipj)! liivcr is ()])eno(l, and tliat will hi- ai-cdinplislit'd in tlie 
sprintc cani|iaii2;n. Tlu' ri\fr will he kept open Ity irunlMiats 
and small ii'arrisons in stmnii: t<>rt> at important point-. New 
rc'uiinents are most liable to detail torgarriscm <liity. I would 
not like tliat. The Army of the C^umlK-rland must advanee 
step by ste}) to Chattanooga, thenei' hillowim;- tiic railway to 
Atlanta and tlienee to tin,- (inlt' oi- t he At laiitic. niid thm 
everythiiiii- west (»f that line will he lost to tht- Confederates. 

That work will re(piire several eampaii;ns and a g 1 many 

battles. We will have op[>ortnnitifs 
for usefulness there." 

''What a1)0ut the Army of the 
rotomaer'" was asked. 

"The enemy must hold tlu'ir 
Capitol, and will kee}) an army in 
Virginia able to eope with tlie Army 
of the Potomac as long as they can 
get men and materials.* 

That conversation may Ije calU'd 
a first lesson in "grand tactics,"" and 
is recorded here to see how things 
turn out. The Colonel was in a 
talkative mood, and gave an account of" the movements and 
battles of the past year that was very interesting. Wv begin 
to see the relation of rivers and railways to the moxemeiits of 
armies, and to see why the armies have follown-cl one or the 
other. 

January •'). — W'hi'n reveille sounded this nn)i-ning we 
ruhbed our eyes open and discovered that our transport was 
lying at the wharf in Louisville. Col(»nel 0[»dycke had been 
ordered to report on arrival to Urigadier-General Boyle, and 
the latter ordered the regiment to go into camji at the 
southern edge of the city, where during the day we pitched 




.111 I. M, \ . 1 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



oar new tents, and begin to realize that barracks witli soft 
pine bunks were, after all, superior to tents minus stoves or 
flooring or even sti'avv. 

The men have been supplied with tlie old-fashioned 
Sibley tent. The tent is about tifteen feer liigh and as many 
in diameter at the bottom, the canvas extending in a straight 
line from the top of the center-pole to the ground, having a 
slit in one side for an entrance. One can stand erect at tlie 
center-pole, and can sit on the ground a few feet farther from 
the center. Their bulk and weight make them untit for 
active campaigning. Major Wood is accompanied by his 

good wife, and their tent has been 
erected and furnished with extra 
care. The presence of even one 
lady in camp has a civilizing effect 
on all of us. 

January 6. — An order was re- 
ceived from Gieneral Boyle to have 
the men supplied with rations and 
ammunition and ready to move. 

The order to prepare to move 
does not interrupt the routine of 
camp life for an hour. Colonel 
Opdycke issued an order for the 
ofHccrs' school to resume daily recitations, and for regular 
drills, the latter to consist of company drill in the forenoon 
and battalion drill in the afternoon. Six hours' drill daily 
when the weather permits, added to fatigue duty, that is, 
cleaning up the camp, and guard duty, with dress parade, 
will leave little spare time on short winter days. jSJany of 
the boys consider the incessant drill an unnecessary hard- 
ship, believing the regiment to be already well versed and 
sufficiently practiced in all the movements and in the manual 
of arms. Indeed, few regiments have gone to the field as 
well drilled, but the Colonel says the dail}' drill will iicver 




Lli.i I. < II \ i;i I - II Al;>ll.MAN. 



ox TO ■////■: /■A'oxy. 



stoji c'Xfept ill till' midst ot" an ;u'ti\'c faiiipaiun. In tiiiic the 
l)oys will i'c<:-ar(l it, as tlioir (•(Hiinianilcr docs, an r.-x-ntial to 
koop niiisck's solid tor iiicvitalilc loiiu" niarrlics ami tin- liai'd 
work of activi" rami>aii:-ninu'. 

January 11. — It rained all last nii^lit. Clrar to-day lnit 
1)0 drills. Till- ri'ii-immit art^d as a i'luioral i-scoit at \\\v 
fiinoi'al ot" Col. dames ]'>. Formaii. loth Kentiud<y Inlantry, 
this aftenioon, and are elated liy hoarinu: many eomiilimeiits 
from hystandei-s. We '/>'/ do wtdl. 

daiiuarv lii. lohii ljadenl>orroui;-h, ('omj>any(i, ai,a'd 

44, died yoster(h»y in the reii-imetal hospital here in Camp 
()pdyeke. and wa'- Imried to-day with honors of war in Ca\*' 
Hill Cemetery, his gi-ave heinj; Xo. 17, in Section 1'). lio\\ '.'. 
Colonel Cpdyeke and Adjutant AVhiteside went to ( )hio 
to-<lay. 

daiiuary 14. — l>rills ha\c heen interrupteil to-day hy 
continuous rainfall. Some of the ti'iits Icakcil. and a i:;ood 
many men are uncomh)rtahlc. It 
grew i-oldcr towards niiiht, and at 
this time, !• v. M., is snowing steadily. 

In the idlieers" school to-day the 
Coloiu'l askeil an unexpected ipU's- 
tion lia\iiig no apjiarciit connection 
^vitll the lesson, and the answi'f to 
which does not a}»j)ear in any of the 
hooks we have: "Why are the com- 
panies arranged li'om right to left, 
A, F, 1), 1, C, 11, K, K, C, Ji, instead 
of A, 13, C, 1), etc. ? " It was evident 
that nt)ne of the line oiKiers had con- 
sidered the suV)jeet, as no om- answered iHoniptly and all 
appeared to have their thinking caps on, hut an an>wer was 
given presently by one ot" the lieutenants which is, wiihotit 
douht, correct, ri: : The three senicu- captains, vV, B and C, 
are at the })Osts of honor, on right, left and center, ami when 




I 'i;. 1'' ■111 i.K ^■ A 1 1.- h 



22 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




LlKir. Hi;M'1:v (isii:)). 



the battalion is formed by division, either right or left in 
front, or on the center, each division has one of the live 
senior captains in it. 

January 15. — The snow storm continued th rough the 
niglit and all day. The ground is covered to a depth of 
eighteen inches. A good many tents have tumbled down 
upon their unlucky occupants. It is bad 
enough to be imprisoned in the tents day 
and night by such a storm, l)ut much 
worse to have one's tabernacle collapse. 
By the time the tent is re-erected the 
l)oys are wet and cold, and clothing and 
blankets are in a sad condition. All were 
good natured, however. Droll remarks 
and tons of advice, offered by irrepressible 
wags whose home withstood the storm, 
helped to relieve the situation. 
Januar}- 19. — It has been clear and cold for three days, 
but moderated in the night, and during the day rain fell and 
the snow began to melt. We are in for a season of dire dis- 
comfort in this camp, but will not be swept away by a flood, 
because the camp is on level ground. The Colonel and 
Adjutant have returned from Ohio. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Banning has gone to Ohio. 

January 21. — Clearing weather. Much mud. Men are 
washing clothing and trying to re[)air mischief wrought by 
snow and rain to our canvas homes. 

January 24. — Drills in full blast again. After all hard 
work is more desirable than the idleness and discomfort of 
the past few days. 

January 27. — An order was received yesterday from 
Brig.-Oen. C. C. (Jilbert, commanding Tenth Division, Army 
of Kentucky, assigning the 125th Ohio to the 34th Brigade, 
commanded by Col. William 1*. Keid, aiul directing us to 
join the l>rigade in Preston's Woods, at the head of Broad- 



ox TO Tlir: FRO XT. 



23 



way. Wc (lid not iiKn'o. A \\\\vv ordi-i- dt-tuils ilic lL'.")tli to 
act as tiuioral csc-ort to-nuii-rcnv at the t'liiu-ial of Col. S;iiihr'I 
McKoe, '5rd Kciitiuky lid'aiitry, w lio died tVoin wounds 
received at the l)attle of iStonr Kivrr. ( »ii rttiiin tVoiii tlu- 
funeral wr ai'o to niai'di to rortland and miltark witii the 
rest of tlu' division on stcandtoats. I )c'stination not .-tatcd. 

danuarv JS. — IJroki' caniii. \\\ orclci- of Colonel licid 
sent l)ag»;'age to the stt-andtoat *'.larol> Stradrr."" At 1 v. m. 
niarehed to attend the funeral of Colonel MeKee. On 
leaviiiii" the cemetery at the eouclusinn of the eerenionies, 
■\ve nnin-hed direetly to Portland and went on hoard the 
" Htratler." finding- the '.•Sth and li^lst Ohio already on the 
same hoat. We have iiad a hard day's work, and all ai'e 
tired. The crowded condition on the hoat insuri's diseoni- 
fort for the men. ()tHeers have staterooms, and will jiavt' 
sliii'hl cause for coni})laint. 

danuary 2!l. — Colonel Keid issui'd an (Hd.r jirohih- 
itint^; any otHcer or man of the o4lh 
Briii'ade from leaxinu' the hoat, as orders 
to move Were lial)le to he received at any 
moment; also an order directinjj,' that the 
cookinu" ap[iarat us on the hoat shouhl he 
used in turn hy the rciiiments, each hold- 
iuii" it tor two houi's at a time. Tlu' wharf 
is lined with hoats. all loaded with troojis. 
It may prow foilunate for the eating' 
houses, restaurants and saloons nt-ar the 
landini:; if the orders to keep the c(un- 
nnind on hoard are strictly eid'orced, for it se\'i'ral thousand of 
the men whose time comes late at the cookini!: ranii'es should 
rusli on shore, famine' coinlitions miuht he itroduced in this 
part of Kentucky in a very few minutes. Briii".-(ien. (leorife 
Crocdv, commandinu" the exjiedition, has issued an order 
explainintc the siii'inds to he used, and i:;ivin«i- minute instruc- 
tions for the ii'uidani'i' (»f suhordinate c<»mmandei's in the 




M.\.l.(;i;X. (JKoltiiK CltoOK. 



24 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




event of an attack upon one or more boats while ascending 
the Cumberland River. That indicates the direction of our 
movement. 

(9 p. M.) After writing the foregoing, the 125th was 
transferred from the " Strader " to the " Clara Poe," and are 
now not so badlj crowded. The boat is smaller, but we have 
it to ourselves. Adjutant Whitesides went up to the city and 
telegraphed for Lieutenant-Colonel Banning, wlio is in Ohio. 
January 30. — Ten steamboats loaded with troops arrived 
from some point up stream and tied up at landings here. 
Two divisions, commanded by Brig. Gen. 
George Crook, and Brigadier-General 
Gilbert, are now here. Weather clear. 

January 31. — Maj.-Geu. Gordon 
Granger, commanding the Army of Ken- 
tucky, has issued an order directing the 
commands of Generals Crook and Gilbert 
to ])roceed to Sniithland and Cannelton ; 
at those points take on snflicient coal to 
carry the boats to Nashville and l)ack 
JOSEPH TITTLE. 1). ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^j, ^^g ^ oxt Douelsou, after which 

the fleet is to ascend the Cumberland River under convoy of 
seven o-unboats, and rendezvous at Fort Donelson until all 
boats arrive there, when further orders will be given. Com- 
panies A and C have been transferred to another boat, and 
the other companies have room enough. 

February 1, Sunday. — The fleet started down stream 
early this morning, and tied up to-night at Cannelton. We 
had a quiet, pleasant trip. Not having a ChajJain, Private 
Joseph Tuttle, of Company D, acted as supply, and preached 
a very good sermon. We have not lapsed into barbarism 
yet, if we are far from home restraints and home influence 
for good. 

February 3. — Our boat turned up the Cumberland at 
10 A. M., and we are at Fort Donelson this evening. At 



ox TO THE IROXr. 



25 



2 1'. .M. ti>-(l;i_v a stroiii;" cavalry tore*' uiidrr ( icii<i:il> ^\'ln'(•kM•, 
Forrest and Wliartoii. made a (k'tt-nniiu'd and iK-rsistcnt 
assault on tin' uairison. consl.-tinij of nin(> coni|tani(*s of" tin.' 
83rd Illinois. Col. A. ('. liaiilinif, coninnuHJini:-, and the 
assailants suft'ered a severe rejiulsi-, Iraxinu" oxer two hundred 
of tlicir nu'U dea<l on the field and 10.') as prisoners ot' wai'. 
()iie of our uunitoats rendei'ed some assistance h\ throwin*; 
sliells; hut, if 1 under>tand. that was afti'r the a>saull was 
praetieally ended. The arri\al of the lleet \\:is o|i]i(U'tune, 
and, no douht, [u-eveiited a renewal of the eontiiet. Two of 
our eompanies were on the upper deek for some miles hefore 
arrivinu- here with i:-un> loaded, ready to repel an atta(dv 
which it was tliouu'ht miu'lit he made. 

lanuaiN 4. — Waitinii' here for the rest of the Heet. 
Hundreds went ashore to look at tlu' scene of yesterday's 
battle. Dead men and deail hoi'ses lyinj;" <ui the lii-ound. and 
tlie ii'eiieral dehris of liattle, sliowed 
phiinly the lines of a<lvaiice and the des- 
perate character of the st rui^Lilc. It was 
a siekeniny' sight. It is ^ate to ju'edict 
tluit the writer, and prol)al)ly none of liis 
comrades, will ever au'ain visit a hattle- 
tield iu>t after tlu' contlict from idle 
(.•iiriosity. Wt' did learn, howi'Vei', thai 
it is no easy task to destroy or capture 
800 determined soldiers pi-otected hy 
works. 

Fehruary (I. — W'e lett Fort l>ont,-lson at 11 a. m., and arc 
steamiuii- uj* stream. Passed C'larksville just now (in i'. m,). 
Weatlu-r mo(hrated: just ahout cold enouiidi tor snow. It 
did snow liii'litly yesterday. Heavy fou* this moiMiini:-. 

Fehi'uary 7. — At some places the hanks of tiie ("iimher- 
land rise to a lu-iu'lit ot a hundreil feet above the water, ami 
covered as they are with ice ami snow, the sun shiniiiir "U 




1.1. «.i;n. N K. l"i>i!iti>T. 



26 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



them made l)eautiful scenery. We reached Kasliville at 
5 P. M., but did not disembark. 

February 8, Sunday. — Moved our camp equipage from 
the boat to the hxudinof/but remained on the boat. Have 

orders to go into camp to-morrow. 
February 9. — Left the boat at 
10 A. M. Marched through the city 
and camped about one mile out, 
near the pike leading to Franklin. 
February 10. — A rainy day. 
Company F on picket. The regi- 
ment did not drill, but held dress 
parade. 

February 11. — This is -'Camp 
Nashville." A board of officers, 
a[»pointed for the purpose, placed a 
ca,.tai.n- valleni.kmin;:',,. valuation upon our officers' houses. 

Marching orders for to-morrow. Ti'aveling by boat is con- 
ducive to good health. We liave few cases of sickness. 
Five hundred and seventy-two of the 751 enlisted men 
mustered in at Cleveland are still with us. We have lost 
179 : two by death, a few discharged on surgeon's certificate 
of disability, a few more by transfer to cavalry regiments, 
and all the rest by desertion. We are glad the latter are 
gone. Those i^'inaining ai'c from good Oliio stock, the sons 
of patriotic parents, and will be a credit to their parentage 
and to tlie State. The bounty jumpers were witliout local 
habitation, and probably gave fictitious names. Hope the 
Gove'i'iKir will not forget to send on the two additi(Mial com- 
panies re(piired to make us a com}>lete regiment. 




CIIAI'TKI; III, 



.\l;M^■ t>i nii; crMi'.i.iM. \m>. 



TIk' niovcineiit of Ci-ook's and (Jilbcrt's dixisions o\' tlio 
Army ot" Kentucky to Xaslivilli-, l»rouii"lit tlit-ni into the 
Military 1 )ejiartnient ol tlic Cuniln'rlaiMl, ami t liei'cal'ter, 
until tlie I'lid of the war, the Il'-mIi Ohio constituted a part 
of the Army of tiic C'nniherland. A hrief account of the 
oru'anization and pi-cvious ser\icc of that army will l»c an 
apjirojiriate introduction to the more 
di'tailed narrative of the events in 
whi(di the 125th particijtated. 

For some time after the fall of 
Fort Sumter, the State ii'overnmeii! 
of Kentucky attempted to niaintain 
an attitude of neutrality, and thcrc- 
hy [)ost[)oued for a hrief period open 
hostilities within her horders. 

On nuiy 2S, ISOl, lJriu-.-( ien. 
]\obert Anderson was assigned to 
command the department i>t' l\en- 
tucky, hein^' so mueli nf the State 
of Kentucky as lay within one hundred luih-s of the nhio 
Kiver. The first troo[is within the department w.-rc those 
raised l»y Col. Lovell If. liosseau, at '"Camp J«»e Holt.*" near 
Louisville, and by General Nelson at "Camp Dick Kohinson.'" 
in Garrard County. They were all Kt-ntuckians. the (iov- 
erumcut not earing to d(}\\ the sentiment for neutrality hy 
sending in regiments from other Stati-s until it became neces- 
sary to do so. On August 11. isiil, (Jeneral Amlersou's 
deitartment was extended to include all o\' Ki'iituckyand the 
State of Tennessee, ami was named the •• l)e}iartment of the 
Cumberland." Early in Septend»er the rebel army violated 




i;..~i . i: w- 



28 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the alleged neutrality of Kentucky by invading the State 
and taking possession of Hickman and Columbus, intending 
to advance at once to Padncah, on the Ohio Kiver, but were 
anticipated there by troops sent from Cairo by General 
Fremont. On Sei)tember 17 the troops in Camp Joe Holt 
were called upon to resist an invasion of the State by a force 
under General Simon Buckner, who started from Camp 
Boone, in Tennessee, and attempted to reach Louisville by 
the Louisville & Nashville Kailroad. Brig.-Gen. W. T. 
Shernian, second in command to Anderson, commanded the 
force sent to resist Buckner. Tiie latter advanced to Eliza- 
beth, forty miles from Louisville, and then retired, before 
Sherman's counter advance, to Bowling Green, which place 
he intrenched and held until the fall of Fort Bonelson. 
General Sherman went into camp at ]\Lildraugli"s Hill, near 
Elizabethtown, and awaited reinforcements. Among the 
Urst to arrive were the 28th, 6th and 39th Indiana, under 
Colonels Scril)ner, Crittenden and Harrison ; 40th Ohio, 

Colonel Gil)Son ; 24th Illinois, Colo- 
nel Hecker, and two companies of 
the 15th U. S. L, under Capt. P. T. 
Swaine. That was the beginning of 
the Army of the Cumberland. In 
Octol)er General Anderson, on 
account of his liealth failing, was 
succeeded in comnumd l)y General 
Sherman. About that time Sher- 
man was subjected to severe news- 
paper criticism for expressing the 
opinion that an army of 100,000 
men would be required in that 
department. Some of the critics asserted that he was crazy; 
nevertheless, he afterwards fought his way from Chattanooga 
to Atlanta in command of 100,000 men in the moving col- 
umn, and almost as many more guarding the territory to the 




(•IN 1 I \\ IllN UUVf.f. 



AR.\rY OF THE CCM /!/:/, L.IX /). 



29 



roar. In Xttvi'iiilicr nt" the saiiif ymr Slicniian \\a> >iijior- 
se(U'(l l»y Maj.-Gon. Carlos IJucll, and the limits of tlie 
department were asfaiii fliaiiired. s.» as to include tlic States 
of (Miio, Indiana, M i«-liii:an, all of Kentucky cast of the 
Cmnlteriand Kiver. and the State <d" Teniies>cc. Tliat part 
of Kentiieky west of the Ciunherland was included in tlie 
department of Missouri, under Major-General Ilalleck. The 
Army of the Cinnljei'land under ( J^ncral liucll was lic;i\ily 
reinforced, and jiarts of the army were eiii^aii^ed in the sev- 
eral liattles at L'iketon, I'restouhurg, Middle Creek, Pound 
Ga}>, l\owlett's Station and Mill S[U'ing. 

In February, 18G2, there was a general advance (Ui tlie 
enemy's line, extending from Bowling 
Green to Columbus. Gen. U. S. Gi'ant, 
eommanding troojis afterwards designated 
as the Army of the Tennessee, captured 
Forts ITenry and Donelson; Genei'al 
Pope's ai-my, aidetl by the fleet of gun- 
l)oats under Commodore Foote, I'ccluccd 
Island Xo. 10. Bowling Green was 
evacuated, and (Ui the 28rd of Fel>nuiry, 
1S(!2, General IJueirs ai'iuy ciitcrecl Xash- 
villc. In Mai"<h <iencral Ilalleck's com- 
mand was extended eastward to a nortli ar.d south line 
passing through Knoxville, so that the three armies undei* 
Grant, Budl and I'ope, i\'S|iectivcly, were undei- (Jeiieral 
Halleek's direetion. (icneral llalleck's c-ommand was then 
designated the Department of the Mississippi: (ieiieral 
Buell's eommaiid was called the J)istrict of the Ohio, tlie 
armies of Buell, Grant and I'oj'c, undei- an order issued by 
General Ilalleck in April, retaining their original titU's and 
organizations. 

General Grant's army proceedi-d from Fort Ooiu'lson on 
transports u}) the Teimessee Kiver to Savannah and I'itts- 
bui'ii" Landing. General Buell sent a force under (Jen. O. M. 




lUT. Ma.i. <;i.N. S. lU.A ri Y 



3° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




■(iKX. .1. W . Sll.l.. 



Mitchell soutlnvard from Nasliville, und proceeded with his 
main force to join General Grant on the Tennessee, arriving 
in time to participate, on the second day, in the battle of 
Pittsbnrg Landing. The enemy having retired to his forti- 
fied position at Ooi'inth, General llalleck came forward in 
person and condncted the operations 
against that position. General Pope's 
command was added to the forces of 
Grant and Bnell, making a very formid- 
able army. Corinth was evacuated in 
May, and in June Bn ell's army was sent 
eastward. During the summer a part of 
Buell's army guarded the railway line 
from Louisville, and the main body was 
stationed at Battle Creek and other 
points near Chattanooga observing the 
Confederate Army of the Tennessee under General Bragg at 
Chattano(;ga. Bragg's army was reinforced and prepared 
for an otfensive movement, intending to advance to the Ohio 
River and recover the States of Tennessee and Kentucky. 
When Bragg advanced, Buell fell back by a parallel line to 
ISTashville, where he left General Xegley and a garrison to 
hold the works, and continued his retreat with the main 
body to Louisville, being obliged to march rapidly in order 
to arrive in advance of his antagonist. At Louisville Buell 
was heavily reinforced, and then assumed the oli'ensive. On 
tlie 8th of October a part of his army won a decided victory 
over the enemy at Perryville, and Bragg then retreated from 
Kentucky. There was dissatisfation with the retrograde 
movement, and disappointment that Bragg's army was per- 
mitted to escape without further punishment, and on October 
24, 1862, General Order No. 168 from the War Department 
sacrificed General Buell to i)ublic clamor, directing tliat all 
of the State of Tennessee lying east of the Tennessee Kiver 
iind such portion of northern Alabama and Georgia as should 



AA'A/v o/' '/'///■: c r. ]//'•/■: A-/.. I. v/i 



31 



tbereat'trr l)e posse8sc'<l liy tlic I'liitcd States, >li(>ulil ci.nsti- 

tute the Department of tin- ('iiiiiberlaiul. tin- troops then 

serving' in tlie dcjiartnienl to he (h-signated the F(tnrtei'iith 

Army Corps, and assi<i-ned Maj.-(ien. William S. liosecrans 

to eommand of the i-orps and department. <leneral r»neil 

heiiiii" relieved, (ieneral lioseerans arrived at Ijouisville and 

assumed command on Oetobor 80, ISti^. The troops were 

then at l)o\vlinu- (Jreen ami Glasgow, exeept the divisions of 

Neglev and Palmer, constitntiiiii: tlie garrison :it N:isli\ille. 

On the 10th ot Xovember, Koseerans 

removed his headi[narters to Nashville. 

and ahont that date his army was coneeii- 

trated there. The army was then divided 

into tliree giruid dlci'^ioiis, known as tln' 

Kight, Center and Left, commandetl le- 

speetively hy Major-CJenerals McCook. 

Thonnis and Crittemlen. The commands 

of MeCook and Crittenden were snhse- 

quently designated as the Twentieth ami 

Twenty-tirst Army Corjts, Thomas' eom- 

nnind retaining the designation of Fourteenth Army Corps. 

(ieneral JJragg eoneentrated his army at Murfreesboro, 

thirty-three miles southeast from Nashville. 

r.ATTI.l". OF SToXl-: TJIVKi;. 




On the morning of .December l*<), lsiii\ liosecrans ad- 
vanced, ami after several <lays of marching and skirmishing, 
drove in Bragg's advance posts to their intrenched lines in 
front of Murfreesboro. At nightfall of December 30 the two 
armies were face to fade, and on the next three davs fouffiit 
the great battle of Stone liiver. Bragg's line was about 
three miles long, facing northwest. The railroad, the Nash- 
ville pike and the west fork of Stone River intersected his 



32 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



line iit the left of his right division, the Wilkinson turnpike 
crossed it at the center and the Franklin road near the left. 
Rosecrans' right rested on the Franklin road and his left on 
the river. Both commanders resolved to assault at day- 
licfht on the 31st, each ordering a movement from his left to 
turn his opponent's right. Under cover of darkness Bragg 
massed opposite Rosecrans' extreme right, and at daylight 
attacked and overwhelmed Willick's and Kirk's brigades of 
Johnson's division, driving them from the ground and cap- 
turing all of Edgarton's and part of Goodspeed's batteries, 
and, following up the first advantage, fiercely assailed Davis' 

division, crushing in turn Post's, 
Carlin's and Woodruff's brigades. 
By this time the entire line was 
engaged in front, while Bragg's left 
overlapped and by w continuous 
wheeling movement assaulted on 
the flank, crumbling to pieces one 
brigade after another. 

The tide of disaster now reached 
McCook's left division, Sheridan's, 
and there for a brief time the resist- 
ance was successful, Sheridan chang- 
ing front, and then stubbornly 
holding out until all of his brigade commanders were shot 
and his troops almost surrounded, when he too fell back. By 
that time Negley's division, next on Slieridan's left, was out 
of ammunition and compelled to retire with Sheridan. Rose- 
crans meantime had worked with energy to establish a new 
line. lie brought the divisions of Van Cleve, Wood and 
Rosseau from the left in time to assist in staying the enemy's 
progress. The new line finally established was a semi-circle, 
both flanks crossing the Nashville pike and the center facing 
southwest. The riu'lit wins^ had retreated three miles. 



-"m^ Cit* 




-.w 




■•M^ 




■Miii^Sib 




'^^iP~'3H 


B^ 


x.}^ 





('APT. (.'. (■. BAU<ni (IS'.t.'i). 



ARMY OF Tin-: ClWflU-.Rf.AXn. 



12> 



ralnier's divi.s'ujii, m-xt on Xt'ii'lcy's Icti, irpulx-d cvrrv 
assault on its fnnit jind held its i:-rniiiid until <»r(U'rc<l to 
retire a few hundred yards to its jiosition at the lett of the 
new line. The enemy held two-thii'ds of the hattle field. 
More than sev^Mi thousand nicii were missini;- lioni the raid<-, 
dead or wounded and [irisoners. Two division coniinaiulers, 
Wood and \'an CMeve, were disal)l('d. Of the hri^-adc eoni- 
luanders, Sill, Scluu'lffr and Kohcrts wcri' killed, Kirk 
seriously wounded and Willick a jirisoiu'r. Ti-n colonels, 
ten lieuteiumt-eolonels and six niajois were missinir, dead 
wounded or prisoners. Many of the leuinieiits had lost from 
one-half t(» two-thirds of iheir line otHeers. The enein\- hail 
<'ai»tured twenty-eight }iieees of artillery. There was niueh 
iliseourag'ement in the situati(Ui as the weary and huui^ry 
troops lay ujion the !;-rouiid that cold l)eeeinher niij^ht, with- 
out tires, and from midnight until nioniinu- wvw jielted hy 
a deluge of rain. But neither Koseerans nor his troops were 
<'oiK|Uere<L Bragg's army had also suffered heavy losses and 
lia<l taileil ill the final assaults. Kose- 
c-rans resolved to await an attack on the 
next day, and it it was not made to him- 
self resume the oftensive. 

On January 1 the enemyj [demon- 
strated at different points along the line, 
hut nuule no serious assault. In the after- 
noon Koseci'aiis, still disposed to try his 
plan of an attack from his lett, sent two 
brigades of Van Cleve's divisioii^[(Col. 
Samuel Beatty, commanding) across tlie 
river to seize and hold a hill ovei"lo(d<iiig one of the fonls, 
and to cover a furthei' advance from the left. 

On January 2 nothing occurred moi-e imi>oitaiit than 
affairs between the skii-inisln'is until in the afternoon, when 
Bragg reinforced his right ami assaulted Beatty's brigades, 
driving them across the river. As the emuny advanced thev 




.IaoHI U. (AI.VIN, A. 



34 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



were subjected to an artillery fire from batteries massed on 
the west bank as well as infantry tire. Troops were hurried 
up to support Beatty, and the enemy w^as stopped at the 
river, repulsed, and then followed in their retreat. Critten- 
den's entire corps was then crossed and held a strong position. 
That night Bragg retreated to the line of Duck River, leav- 
ing Eosecrans in possession of the battle field. 




ClIAl'TKi; IV. 



iiiANKi.ix AM" iinrNi:. 

(FKUKIAKY rj TO .It NK J.'. iMi:!. ■ 

The main Ixxly of'tlu' Army ot'tlu' ('mnhc'rlaiid i'iic;niii»i'il 
alioiit MurtVcesbori' at the (•h).se ot" tlie Ijatth'nf Stone iJivei-, 
and feiiiained there until Juno, engacjed in hnildinii" rt'itili- 
eations, drilling, ami |ii'e[»aring toi* a t'oiward movfiiifiit. 

(xeneral Bragg's headquartei's were estalilishfij at 'I'ldla- 
homa, thirty-six miles south tVom MurtVeeshoiD, on the 
Xasli\ille vV' Chattanooga Railroad, his infant ry holding a line 
ten or twelve miles turther north. 
extending from Shelbyville to Wart- 
race. 

As alrt'ady stated, M urtVei'slioi'o 
is southeast from Nashville. The 
Xashville iV l)eeatur Itailroad runs 
directly south iVom Nashville, pass- 
ing through Franklin, eigliteen miles 
from Naslixille, and Cohimhia. 
twenty-tivi' mih-s further south. 
From Iluntsville, Ala., a hraiK-h rail- 
road runs to Chattanooga. 

llari»t'th River, tlowing west 
from a point a few mih's helow M urfreeshoro, jiasses Franklin. 
Duek lliver, also tiowing west from the viciinty of Manehes- 
ter, northeast of Tullahoma, passes Cohunhia. 

There was a good jfike from Nasliville \ia Franklin to 
Colund»ia, and theiiee to Pulaski. 

The territory lying between llarpeth and Duck lii\ers 
necessarily became debatable ground, from whi(di itotli armies 
gathered supplies, ami across which both sides constantly sent 
detachments to watch the movcint-nts ot' the other. liose- 




M \.i. "ir.N. n.wiii s. Stam.ky, 



36 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



crans, having fortified Murfreesboro, might hold the works 
with a small force and advance byway of Columbia, depend- 
ing upon the Nashville it Decatur road for his supplies. On 
the other hand, if Bragg desired to advance upon ISTashville, 
or the Cumberland River west of Nashville, he would proba- 
bly do so via Columbia and Franklin. It follows that both 
Generals were alert to meet any movement on the line from 
Franklin to Columbia. 

On February 12 Gilbert's division moved from Nash- 
ville, one brigade to Brentwood and another to Franklin. 

The 125th Ohio marched with the 
latter to Franklin. It was a long 
march for new troops, but the men 
were cautioned against overloading 
knapsacks, and very few of them 
were reported to the surgeon on the 
road. A light fall of snow early in 
the day was followed by a cold, 
drizzling rain and colder weather as 
the day advanced. 

When within a mile or two of 
Franklin, but not in sight of the 
place, it was learned that a Confed- 
erate cavalry force was in possession of the town. Colonel 
Opdycke was ordered to advance with the 125th and drive 
the enemy out. The regiment marched past those preceding 
us in the column. Companies A and B were deployed as 
skirmishers and went forward, followed by the other compa- 
nies in column. The town lies on the south side and in a 
bend of the Harpeth River, Both the railway and the 
wagon bridges were found to be destroyed, but the skirmish- 
ers got over promptly. The enemy appeared not to have 
discovered our presence until the skirmishers were crossing, 
when they mounted in hot haste and rode towards the river, 
firing as they came. It was plainly apparent that there were 




J)Ai:\viN F. A], I, EN, B. 



FIRST sKiR.\risn. 



37 



too many of tlinii tor tlic skii'inlsh litic. 'IMic uionifnl tin- 
regiment ai ri\ cd ut the bank the Colonel rode ucrosH to take 
soundings, and, finding it i)ossible to wade, gave the order to 
cross. The water was waist deej) tor the sh(»rt ni.n and cold 
enoiiu'h to t'licouragc fapid i>i-ogress. As tlu- men sci-anil»lc(l 
up tlic l)aiik they were hastily t"ornu'<l and moNcd forward to 
and then up the nearest street, the skirniislicrs keeping 
abreast, going across lots, tlirougli alleys and around obstruc- 
tions as best they could, each man lor himself. The ciiemv 
retired rapidly to tlie high ground at the southern eti<:e of 
town, and when pressed fell back fai'ther, keeping pi'etty well 
out of range but exchanging shots. Xi-ar the center of the 
town live roads branch, one being the Columbia jiike on 
wliich the nuiin body of the enemy was retiring. 

At that point Conqiany F was deployed as skirmishers, 
and oi'(lei'e(l to adxanee with its K'ft on the Columbia jiike. 
Company 1> being on the other side. The regiment nnirched 
on the pike, l^issing the Carter House, made famous bv 
Hood's assault nearly two years 
later, the regiment halted, wliih- tlu- 
skirmishers continued to ad\anee 
until tar enough out to act as a 
picket. wlu'U thi'V too halteil and 
renuiined until a regulai' jiicket line 
was establislu'd an hour later. As 
we nuirche(l u[i the first street lead- 
ing from the ri\er we weix' sui'i>rised 
to see the stars and stripes displayed 
at a residence we afterwards h-arneil 

was Dr. Cliffs. The tight was a 

,,,,.. ^ I- 1 I 1 ^' '• "ill I- 1,1 -^ ~ -■•, i^ '> . 

small affair, too slight to hi' i'eportc(l 

to head([uarters. Xo menti(Ui of it can be found in the pub. 

lished records of the rebellion. Many similar athiii-s will 

receive scant notice in this xolunie. J>ut it was tlie first 

time the l'2oth Ohio was under tii-e. Coiniiii:- at the end of a 




38 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



long- niareli, it would not have been surprising if many of 
them, escaping from the mire of the river bank, had stuck 
behind fences or other obstructions. They all went forward, 
however, resolutely and rapidly, fairl}^ demonstrating their 
fitness for service at the front. 

Such affairs, though deemed unworthy of mention by 
the general historian because they do not affect the issues of 
a campaign, are worthy of consideration in a regimental 
history, because the extraordinary exer- 
tion and exposure, especially by new 
troops, is sure to entail sickness, suffering 
and death. Witliin the next few days a 
large number of our men went to the 
hospital, many of whom never returned. 
Indeed, the losses by death, discharge, 
and transfer to the Veteran Reserve 
Corps, occasioned by that cold bath in the 
llarpeth and the hard service for some 
wrecks tliereafter, probaldy exceeded the 
losses in any single battle except that of Chickamauga, as 
evidenced by our losses from death and discharges in the 
next three months. 

The following extract from a letter, written by a ser- 
geant of Company B, gives a graphic picture of the combat: 




GE(ii:i.;i: FiiENrn, B (IW)." 



I remember my ambition quickened as we marched past the other 
regiments. We felt our importance at being thus selected ; and I noticed 
my comrades each had a gallant bearing. On reaching the front we were 
met by a delegation of citizens (all colored), who, instead of tendering us 
the freedom of the city, with eyes stretched in wonder, informed our com- 
mander that " Gen'l Forrest in dar with heaps of rel)s." The town was 
hidden by the hills, but our ears caught on this, what our eyes failed to dis- 
tinguish. Company B was ordered to load and deploy as skirmishers. On 
the run we took ])Osition, and then ''by the flank" we moved on the 
enemy. Over the hill, on the double quick, we were stealing a march on 
those fellows rapidly. But wait ; here is a river, until now unseen, and we 
brought up suddenly on the l)anks of this murky stream. The timbers of 
the bridge, the only means of crossing, were yet smoking in the water. 



AT /'h'.IXk'/./X. 



39 



We paiisfil. •• l'"()r\v;iiil, lurwMiilI " laim "Ht the (•(Piiiiii:iii>ls dl' <>iii- LMlliiiit 
Colonel, as he ramc ii<liii<r oM iiarney on the lull ;,'allo|i towards us. Surely 
lie floes not nu-an, does not know — our scrujiles were at once removed by 
our old Cajitain sayin;r, " Hoys, that means 'take water"; Ser^'eant, ran you 
swim?" *' No, not with this load, but I ran do a i>ower of wadin^r; " and I 
at onee sprang in. With l)lood at fever heat from our lon<_' rmi, this icy 
l)ath seemed terril>ly cold. Ip to this time no enemy had heen sighted. 
When midway of tlie stream, the Southern C'onfederaey, in the form of an 
olHcer on a white horse, appeared on the bank opposite. Statue like, he sat 
there ill liis astonishment. 

"As in amaze, lie stood to gaze, 
At the sight he was unmanne(l, sir; 
For, without a boat, but all alloat. 
The Yankees weic on hand, sir." 



Our eyes were leveleil at him. but we were too nearly submergeil to 
use our guns. Corp. Kuliu D. JUirnes was the tirst to eU'eet a landing, and 
was t'ortunate in linding stejis leading up tlie l>ank. Tin- rebel otiieer 
caught sight of him only a few feet away, and hastily tired his pistol at thi' 
doughty corporal ; but his aim, like the i>urpo.>ie of 
the ri'bellion, was faulty in the extreme, liariu's 
brought his i)iece to an aim, but his rilie, like him- 
self, had been und«'r water, and refused to go oH'. 1 
made the opposite shore in a dilapidated comlition. 
and found myself tod nnich wati-r-soaked to climb 
the bank without ilraining out. Soon gaining /</•/•" 
firma, I found myself in an alley leading down to the 
river. ( »ne oilier comrade joined me here, and 
togetlier we I'olioweil uj) this narrow street to the 
Columbia i)ike. We reacheil the jiike in tinii' to si-i' 
the rear eml of Forri'st's cavalry, at bn-ak-neck 
speetl, rt'jecting our oli'er of liattie. It was a novel 
and interesting sight to us; and, although only a 
short distance off, I forgot my mi.«sion ; forgot to lire until their bullets, 
cutting the leaves over our heads, l)rought me to a realization of my sur- 
roundings. I at once returned their fire, and with smh deliberation tliat 1 
felt that I was not missing a road full of horsemen. (Hhers joined us here, 
and the roar of our muskets had " the song of battle " as liercely echoed as 
though this was to be the decisivi> conflict of the war. We followed 
them out as long as we could reach them with sights fully extemled. I 
firi'd, in all, ten rounds. There weri- ;ibout forty of us actually engaged, 
and all riflemen. We learned afterward that the enemy sullered seven-ly 
from our tiring. Though bloodless the l)attle on our iiart, yet we had been 
und<>r tire for the lirst time; and, after standing on jiicki't guard until past 




M(>i[l:l><iKIKn-.N. (i (ises). 



40 OPDYCKE TIGERS, . 

midnight, we felt that our initiatory day's work had been one of severity, 
and which a few more of a similar nature would severely tax one's con- 
stitution. 

Having no tents at Franklin, the regiment was assigned 
quarters in buildings. The other regiments of the brigade 
went into camp on the north side of the river. Owing to a 
rapid rise of the river from continued rainfall, it was some 
days before a bridge was constructed, during which period 
one-half of our companies went on picket each day. There- 
after details from other regiments (the 98th and 121st 0. Y. I.) 
made our share of picket service comparatively light, while 
cavalry outposts made it more comfortable. Colonel Opdycke 
was assigned to command the post, which included only the 
town and troops on the south side. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Banning, who came up on the 19th, was in immediate com- 
mand of the regiment, which remained on the south side 
over a month. The enemy had cavalry posts on all the 
roads. They seldom let a day or night pass without making 
a dash at our pickets on one or more of the roads; and, on 
the other hand, they were never permitted 
to remain peacefully in their own camps 
many days in succession. The iirst shot 
on the picket line was a signal for the 
regiment to rush into line. It was a 
regular practice to stand to arms for an 
hour before daylight, while small parties 
of cavalry, and if they were otherwise 
engaged, infantry patrols pushed out for 
a few miles on all the roads, to insure 
D.McM.,HAK,„B(i8r.3). .j,,.ji,,,t surprise. The patrols almost 
invariably found themselves at daylight in sight of similar 
parties from the enemy's camp, out on the same business. 
Shots were sometimes exchanged, and occasionally men wei'e 
captured. Kccouiioisaiu-es and sj)C'ci;il expeditions, involving 
marches, couuter-niiirches and occasional combats, were fre- 




.■/.\' IXCini'.NT. 



41 



(juc'iit, tlu' liruiit ct tlu' ciiiiiliats taHliiiT iijmiii our <-a\alrv- 
men ; the infantry, as a i^^enei-al tliinir, nieivly iMarcliiii<r afti-r 
tlie hoi'semeu as sup[)poi't in an adxanci', and back again 
having the troopers for rear giiartl. Although tlie service 
was not of a character to attract jiublic attention, a more 
detailed mention of some of tlie incidents and movements of 
that })eriod will he interesting to many readers. 

On Feliruary :21, a reeonnoisanee was made hy the I'th 
Pennsylvania C'avalry, in whicli separate detachments went 
out on three roads, under orders to unite on tiie Columhia 
pike at the brick cliurch, seven miles from Franklin, wliere 
the enemy usually maintained a >ti'ong picket, hoping thus 
to surround and eaiiture the i»icket. Colonel dordan, com- 
manding, found the picket ]»ost abandoned, and rode (»n to 
the vicinity of Butler's station, where his advance gnai'd 
caught sight of a surgeon belonging to 
Wheeler's Confederate ca\alrv in the act 
of giving a parting kiss to a lady. Mak- 
ing a rush, they captureil him. About 
the same time C'a}itain U'lieilly, com- 
manding a company of the i'th rennsyl- 
\ania. on another i'oa<l. eiitercil a house 
to jiai'ole a rebel soldier reported to hi- 
tluMH' sick in bed, ()"l\eilly"s company, 
meantime, riding on. A few minutes 
later a bodv of the em-my's cavalry, ")0(l 
strong, a}»}>r()aching on a cross road, oiiscrved the Ca]»tain'R 
horse, guessed the situation, came forward at a galloj*. and 
made tlie Cai^tain a prisoner, his horse I'scaping, while his 
conijiany, though in plain sight, was to(t weak in numbers to 
justify a movement for bis rescue. 

On rel)ruarv 24 an incidt'iit occurred illustrating the 
eft'ects of military occupation upon the inhabitants. The 
hospital had been establislu'(l in a large building calle<l the 
Seminary, Surgeon IJIack. lloth O. V. J., being the chief. 




C. ('. M' Nil 1, < l"''.'- 



42 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



^* 



'yT 



He had sent for and taken to the hospital to serve as a cook 
a negro woman belonging to Judge Marshall, leaving Mrs. 
Marshall ill and without help. Among the very few citizens 
friendly to the Union cause were Dr. Clitf and his wife, who 
had formerly lived in Wayne County, Ohio, Mrs. Cliff 
appealed to Colonel Opdycke to have the negro woman 
released, basing her request on the fact that when Mrs. Clitf 
had been arrested and imprisoned at Murfreesl)oro as a 
Unionist, Judge Marshall liad interceded for and procured 
her release by the Confederate authorities. Colonel Opdycke 
sent an order to release the cook, which was received and 

executed by a subordinate in the 
temporary absence of Dr. Black. 
The latter, on his return, sent men 
to bring the woman back, which 
they proceeded to do by force, raising 
(|Uite a commotion. Opdj'cke then 
reported the circumstance to Gen- 
eral Gilbert, and the latter ordered 
the arrest of the men, and also of 
the surgeon if it was found that he 
was in any degree responsible for 
the use of force. 

We conclude the record for Feb- 
ruary with some extracts from a diar^' : 

"February 13. — The regiment formed line at 5 a. m., and 
stood to ai-ius until daylight. At 4 p.m. enemy's cavalrymen 
fired on our pickets, and the regiment formed and remained 
in line until dark. 

"February 14. — Stood to arms one hour before day- 
light. Ca[>tain Parks is officer of the day, and relates this 
incident : A lady called on tlie Colonel to-day, told of her 
father's illness, declared she must go to him, and plead for a 
pass to go beyond the lines for that purpose. The Colonel 
listened to her storj, tlien said: 'I believe your husband is 




('llAKl.l> A. ArsiiN, ]'. (l^^'.i). 



EXTRACTS FRO.\r D/.IA'V 



43 



an oflicHT in WIiccKt's c:i\ali'v t'orcr imw in our liunt." SIk' 
admitted tlml lie was. • For tliat irason 1 camiot ii:i\i' you a 
]»ass at this time," saitl tlir Colonel. The Ui'ly was imlin'- 
naiit : sai<l tluir caxalry would soon <lisjtose of the Colonel 
and his coniniand, and that she wonlil lind Iht way <>nt with- 
out u pass. The Colonel was cNidciit ly skt'iitical as to the 
illness of the lady's father. 

"Fchruary llL — Lieutenant-Colonel JJanninii', Captain 
Bauii'h, and Lieutenant Cartel- joined the i-eii-iineiit, coiniiiu- 
fi'oni ( )hio. 

'' I^'ehruaiy ill. — ('axalry outposts ri'jiorted the enemy 
advaiieinu'. lieu'inient toi'ined and marched out ("olundtia 
]iike in a shower of rain. J\eturued in an hour without 
havinu' seen the enemy, lleni'v II. Adams, of C<uupany G, 
has heeii appointed reiiimeiital postnuisti-r, <ui aeeount of 
good eondiiet in the skirmish on the I'Jth 
inst., and that exempts him from u'uai-il 
and fatigue duty. 

"Fehruaiy 'l-\. — Company 15 is (piar- 
tered in Shannon k liuehannan's st(U-e, 
and do their eooking in the baek yard. 
^Vn irate eitizen ealled there this morn- 
ing searehinu' for missinii' honey which 
had disap[>eai'ed in tlu' night from his 
[(remises, hives and all. He found the 
hives in the hack yard, ahout to he used 
for fuel hy the coin[iany cook. Finding Captain Yeonums, 
he entere(l n ^\•ratlly complaint, hut the Captain indignantly 
repelled the change, saying that there was not a hoy in Com- 
jiaiiy ]> that would do such a thing. The citi/en poinled to 
the empty hives as conNineing proof, hut was told that there 
■was some mistake. Company J) hoys e<,uld not steal. The 
eiti/.en then sought the Colonel, ami repeated the charges 
against Company B, when the Colonel promptly (u-deri'il him 
to leave his quarters; he woidd listen to no such slamlers on 



/ 









< >i:ii -Si;i:(.i. Sii.i.imax, (i. 



44 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



his men, none of whom would steaL The man left, but 
undoubtedly retained his first impression that the soldiers 
were in some way connected with his loss. Our impression 
is that the Colonel wants us to live well if w^e can do it 
without getting the officers into trouble. 

"February 24. — Officers' school resumed recitations 
to-day, and we have company and squad drills in the streets 
and public square. 

"February 28. — We have many sick men. Private 
John C. Naylor, Company A, died here on the 21st, and is 
interred at Murfree8bor(^, in Franklin Section, Grave No. 45, 
Stone River Cemetery. 

" The following comrades have been discharged in the 
past month on surgeon's certificate of 
disability: John Steves and George Hoff- 
man, Company A ; Asahel B. Hall and 
Cornelius AlciSrult, of Company C ; Alva 
Hamilton, Benjamin F, Harbough and 
Harris B. Hotchkiss, of Company I) ; 
Martin N . Phillips and Thomas Wilson, 
of Company H." 

On March 2, General Gilbert, then 
commanding all the forces about Frank- 
lin, ordered Coburn s brigade, encamped 
at Brentwood, to move to Franklin, where the pressure on 
the out})Osts led Gilbert to anticipate an attack in force. On 
the evening of the 3rd, the enemy having withdrawn from 
our immediate front, General Gilbert ordered Coburn, with 
his brigade, consisting of four regiments of infantry and a 
battery, together with thi'ee regiments of cavalry and the 
124th Ohio Infantry of our brigade, to advance to Spring 
Hill on the 4th, taking four days' rations and a wagon train, 
and on the following day to advance still farther while the 
wagons were loaded in the vicinity. Four miles out Coburn 
encountered a force of cavalry inferior to his own and drove 




CO/U:/^.VS BRICsADF. CAPTrREP. 



45 




it, luit lu'iiriiiii' that a larii't-r toroo of tlu- I'liciny was on tlir 
Lewisburg I'ikc, he halted and sent liis eavah-y in that dinn-- 
tion. At dayliglit on the 5th two ne<i:i-<» Itoys entered 
Coburn's camp and reported tliat \'an horn was ni>rlh of 
Spring Hill moving to capture Franklin. \'an l)<>in was, in 
fact, moving to surround and overwhelm Coluini. Tlif 
negro l)oys were sent at once to (ieneral 
Gilliert, hut the latter sent no message 
forward. In the meantime Cohurn, ha\- 
ing sent scouts in various directions, who 
discovered no enemy, at al)Out 8 o'chu k 
advanced. On ai'i'iving near Thonii)son"s 
Station, at a point where the road j)asses 
through a defile, the head of the column 
encountered the eiu'my, apparently in 
small force, and who fell back as Cobuin 
advanced. On both sides of the road 

were ridges, flanked by detached hills, some of them co\ - 
ei'cd by timber, under cover of which \ an l>orn"s three 
divisions were advancing from either side. The surpi'ise 
was complete, and, after a sharp engagement. Coburn's brig- 
ade was enveloped and comitelled to siiiitiiiler, his cavalry 
escaping by prompt flight, and the 124tli Ohio also escaped 
by reason of being in rear of the column in charge of the 
wagons. Early in the day Opdyt-kt- had iirge<l (lilbert to 
take or send foi-wanl a force to support Cobiii-n, but without 
ett'ect, until lu'avy tiring indic-ated serious ti-ouble, when 
Opdycke was ordered to advance. The 125th was off in a 
moment, and mo\ ed rapidly until the retreating foi'ce was 
met, and it was found that our mi»\ement was too late to 
render assistance. 

The disaster cast a gloom o\ er the camp and dcsti'oyed 
confidence in Gilbert's capacity to command, ("obui-n him- 
self, although captured with his men, did not escajK' censure 
in the able discussions amons: the enlisted men, who wanted 



46 



OFDYCKE TIGERS, 



to know why cavalrymen were mounted if tliey were to be 
held in camp with infantry while a few scouts were relied on 
for information. It must be conceded that if Coburn had 
ordered his cavalry to Spring Hill before the infantry' started, 
the horsemen would have run into and developed the enemy 
and come back again without serious loss. 

About the same time that Coburn's brigade advanced 
from Franklin, several expeditions started from Murfrees- 
boro. On March 4 General Sheridan was near Eagleville 
with his division of infantry, General Steedman's division 
was near Triune, and Colonel Minty, with three regiments of 
cavalry routed small bodies of the enemy at Rover, and later 
in the day at Unionville, charging with the saber and captur- 
ing fifty-two prisoners. 

On the 6th Steedman reported that he had made a 
reconnoisance to Chapel Hill, driving 
Roddey's cavalry off and then returned 
to Triune, having captured sixty pris- 
oners. On the 7tli General Granger came 
t(^ Franklin with a division of infantry 
commanded by General Baird, and on 
the same date Sheridan sent Colonel 
Minty with his cavalry brigade to Frank- 
lin, where he arrived on the 8th. On the 
9th there was a general advance against 
K1.HERT K. HiuHKio, c. y .^ ,^ J)ov\\, commaudod by General 

Granger, who had assumed command of the forces at 
Franklin, now consisting of Baird's and Gilbert's divisions 
of infantry and G. Clay Smith's brigade of cavalry. Minty's 
brigade moved via the Carter's Creek pike to make a circuit 
and join Green Clay Smith's brigade at Thompson's Station, 
the latter preceding the infantry, Gilbert's and Baird's 
divisions, on the Columbia pike, while General Sheridan 
advanced from some other point, bivouacking near us at 
dark. We marched before daylight. The cavalry found the 




.'inr.Lvc/': to pcck Rni-.R. 



47 



eiK'inv on all rt>;t(l> witliiii three or I'imh' miles, and kept iiji a 
continuous tusilade, ei-eatini;- the inipre»ion at first that \vc 
were nioving to i^-o into action, Iml the I'aet that the enemv 
was I'ctifiiig betbi'c the adxaiicc ii'iiai'd soon liecanic a|iiKii'eiit. 
Near Th()iii[)s()irs Station a [tart of tlic int'antrv was deployed 
and advanced in line for a mile or so, whih' the fnini^^in front 
was brisk enon<;-li to indicate a stand. The enemy retired, 
liowever, Itefore tlie li'-Jlh aiKaneed near enoiiii-ji to see the 
proceedings. Tlie conunand went into bivouac at sunset. 

On the 10th the forces advanced to l\utherford Creek, 
behind which the enemy was posted. They bad destroyed 
tbe bridges, and the wati'r was too higb 
to cross infantry or artillery. It rained 
continuously. On tbe lltli tlie cavalry 
eltected a crossinii- some distance uii 
stream, and found tbat Van Dorn bad 
escaped with bis main Ixxly across Duck 
Kiver. General (J ranger, in liis report, 
said: "Tbe men and animals sutfered 
greatly from tbe terrific storm during the 
day and nigbt of tlie lOtb." Tbe 12:)th 
was on picket along the creek, and for- 
bidden to have tires at the outposts, tbe rebel videttes being 
witbin bailing distance across tbe creek. During tlu' night 
some of tbe boys found and appropriated several excellent 
bams. They Imilt a tiri' at some di>tance from the tVont 
over wliicli slices of bam were broiled, ramrods ser\ing for 
cooking utensils. Officers invited to share the midnight 
feast were too polite to impure when the commissary began 
issuing hams. 

On tlie 12th the commaml marched l>aek to l^'ranklin, 
arriving before dark. 

On tbe 14th there was a grand review hy (leneral 
Granger. Our positi<»n in line was neai' the eotton gin on 
Carter's iilace. 




Kl.Mll: Watkics, H(isr.2). 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



On March 15 the 125th was ordered into camp with the 
left brigade of Gilbert's division, then commanded by 
•Colonel Payne. Shelter tents were issued to the men and 
wall tents to commisioned otRcers. It may be that some of 
■our readers never saw a shelter tent. Each man was sup- 
plied with a piece of canvass about iive feet square, having a 
row of button holes and also a row of buttons around the 
border. Two of them buttoned together and carried over a 
ridge-pole elevated on prongs about three feet high, with the 
ends fastened on the ground, made what 
the boys invariably called a " pup tent," 
probably because no animal could enter 
otherwise than upon all fours. Four 
pieces buttoned together, with an extra 
one or a rubber blanket across one end, 
made a home for four men, which, if less 
commodious than a wall tent, had the 
advantage of l)eing always at hand, and 
re({uired no space in wagons, each man 
carrying his part of the family mansion 
with his blanket. Yankee ingenuity invented improvements, 
materials for which were always found if the camp was for 
longer than one night, and which made of the canvas a 
gable roof over a very comfortable bed. No veteran would 
think of trading his "pup tent" for one that required wagon 
transportation. 

During tlie first month after going into camp the 125th 
Avas occupied chiefly in working on the fort erected on the 
north bank near the railroad bridge, in addition to picket 
duty and drill. 

Van Dorn's troopers advanced again within a few days 
to Spring Hill, and on March 23 General Granger sent the 
•cavalry out under orders to dislodge Van Dorn's advance 
from Thompson's Station. The etfort was made but failed, 




SAMLEI, MoKlil.^UN, C. 




Hi-NKV H. Adams, C. (1S94). 



j-K.ur AT i>Ri-:xr\\'00D. 



49 



with a loss ot" (»m' ofKccr ami four im-ii. Two laru'f i4"iiiis 
Were iiiiMiiitcil ill ilu- tort on this ihitc. 

At (hiA light on Mar<-h J.') thf ]iirk('t> on I he Lfwishtircf, 
C'olnnihia, Carter Creek and iJoytTs Mill r(iail> were viii-or- 
ounsly assailed, those on the Colunihia pike li\ aitilhrv as 
well as cavalry. At tii>t only ea\alry was si-nt to in-in- 
force the pickets, l)ut in a shoi-t time a courier on the Triune 
line came in with a rejiort that tAvo jtosts of that courier line 
had heen routed hy the eiieiny's eaxalry nioxing in the dii'ec- 
tioii of iirentwood, t he latter place hi-ing nine miles from 
Franklin, on the road to Xashville. \ few minutes later a 
messenger arrixed fnmi Tank, alxjiit twelve miles west on 
the lIar[K'tli, with intnrmat ion that a heaxy caxalry force 
under Forrest ami Wharton had ci-ossed at Tank and was 
moving in the direction of Brentwood. It was then evident 
that the intention was to ca}>ture iSicnt- 
wood and possibly the morning train tVom 
JSTashville. Brig. Gen. (Jreen Clay Smith 
was dispatched with all the lavali-y not 
then engaged, \iz : pai'ts of the 'Jml 
Michigan, 4th and <Itli Kentucky and IMli 
Pennsylvania, about s»'ven hundri'il incn 
in all, to save Brentwooil and the train if 
possible. The rest (»f the ea\aliy fol- 
lowed as soon as relieved by infantry. 
There was a stocka.le at a railroad bridge >'^' «"n >■ "•«"«'^^'^'-- 
half a mile south nt' IJreiitwood. The force at Ib'cntwood 
and at the stockade was jiart of the T.Mh Michigan ami the 
22nd Wisconsin Infantiy, Lieutenant Cohuicl jJloddgood 
being in connnaml. 

Oil arri\"ing at the railroad bridge. (leneral Smith 
learned that both commands had surn-ndered after tii'ing a 
few shots, being at the time i-ntirely sui'rounded and the 
enemy about to open with artillery at short range. S(uue 




^Q OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

few of the men escaped, making their way to Nashville, the 
total nnmher captured heing twenty-six cthcers and 722 men. 
After the surrender, the enemy moved southwest to 
recross the Ilarpeth west of Franklin. General Smith pur- 
sued, overtaking Starnes' brigade within three miles, when a 
runn'ing tight ensued to a point about six miles from Brent- 
wood where several roads intersect, at which point Starnes 
made' a stand, was vigorously assailed by Smith and for a 
time driven back, when Wharton and Forrest appeared upon 
the scene and turned the tables, driving Smith back two 
miles, when the latter, seeing that he Avas outnumbered, tell 
ha.'k'tc Brentwood. Smith's loss was twenty-eight. He 
estimated the rebel loss in killed and wounded to be large, 
^ l)ut Van Dorn in his report makes it less 
^ than that of Smith's command. Smith 
' brought in 48 prisoners. As usual, the 
part taken by the infantry in the whole 
atlair consisted in going into line of battle 
and advancing only to see the enemy 
"^^^^ retire, their officers being too wise to hold 
>^pfe horses and men armed with carbines 
where they could be assailed by an inhin- 
try armed with more etfective riHes. 

On March ?A the cavalry captured 
five prisoners in a skirmish on the Lewisburg pike near 

Franklin. 

Tlie following extracts from diaries will make the record 

for March more complete : 

"March 7. — Eli H. Dillon, Company K, was kdled by 
lio-htning while on picket duty. His post was at the fo..t of 
u'large tree, down which the fatal current passed. 

^' March 10. — Our officers are in trouble to-night. One 
of General Gilbert's aides claims to have found men with the 
numerals "125'' on their hats helping themselves to sundry 
o-(,od thino-s to eat at a house near the line of march, and the 




llAi;vi.-. , H. 



/as;sv;.v for .\/.ia-c//, /S6j 



General (.ivlcrrd tlu'ii- arr.-st. Eacli of the comiiaiiv (•lii.-cr.s 
(leelare tliat iioiir ol' ilicir men wvw out of ranks, and tliev 
aro tlircatcncd w Ith arrest if tlicytlo not find t lie uudt v men. 
It will he hard to convict if the otficcrs hani;- toucthcr. hut 
what if tlie aide should identify one or more of the lio\ > '." 

•'March 1-). — The recent camiiai>:ii on Knthcrfoi-d'- 
Creek has heen too much for a uood nian\ of the li(i\>. A 
good many are iiiider the Surgeon's care. We marched l»ack 
as rear guard. Shortly after reaching our 
(juarti'i-s tliere were several calls for tlu> 
surgeon. Lieutenant Clark was sutt'ering 
from an attack of neuralgia of tlu' stom- 
ach. Dr. Mclleiirv, after trying milder 
remedies, ga\c' him a (htse (d' chloroform 
and water, whicdi put him to sJeeit. lie is 
better to-day. George French. Cctnijianv 
1>. on reaching (juarters, declinc(| siijipcr 
and went ti> slec)'. His restless move- 
ments ami talking in his slee). h-.l to an 'J'-"' " w, km, ,:. ii. 
investigation, from which it was discovered that he had a 
high fever and was (h'lirious. The case was so serious tha* 
Colonel Opdycke arranged to take him to \)\\ Clilfs instead 
of sending him to the hosjiital, A young negro hov was Ictt 
in the room with him. i)ut George drove the hov out, st-rm- 
ing to think he was an uncanny imp. (leorije then matiai:'('<l 
to get his clothes on and tried to escape, hut was found later 
lying in the iudl at the foot of the stairs. He was then taken 
to the doctor's ottice, place(l in a hi-d in the hack rooui ami 
his hrotlier Gal eh detailcil to take care of him. 1 1 is con dit ion 
is critical." 

''March 31. — (reneral inspection to-day. We lia\'c lost 
from the rolls in Mai'ch. hy death : daeoli V.. Galvin, ("mu- 
pany .V. intei-red in Section \\. (Jraxe i^.'n'. at Xa^li\illc: 
AVilliam \. Covert, Company 15, interred in (J rave 47. 
Franklin Seetion, Stone River Cemetery: dosejdi Andrews 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Coiniiany C, Grave 30, same section and cemetery ; Eli H. 
Dillon, Company E (killed b}' liglitning), interred in Grave 
51, same section and cemetery; Thompson J. Fawcett, Com- 
pany F,interred in Grave 80, Section E, Nashville. Lieuten- 
ant Hendry, Company H, has resigned, and the following men 
liave been discharged, all on surgeon's certiiicate of disa- 
-1 bility : Solomon Coler, Compau}' A; 
Jiichard McXamar, of E ; Sergeant James 
R. Brown, of F ; Samuel W. Anderson 
and Frederick Meno, of H. 

We have two accessions to the ranks. 
Henry Stalter, colored, was eidisted as 
under cook in Company D, and Jordan 
Hardin, colored, in the same capacity in 
Com[)any E. Most of the officers and 
nearly all the companies ha^■e colored men 
empl()3'ed l)ut not enlisted." 
At daylight on the 2nd of April, the cavalry made a 
rush upon the enemy's out})Osts on the Carter's Creek road, 
captured two lieutenants and eight men, killing a captain 
and one private. On April 5, at daylight. Van Horn's 
troopers returned the compliment by rushing u[ion a coni- 
pany picketing at Davis' Mill, capturing eight of them. On 
Ajiril 7, Lieutenant Colonel Banning was assigned to com- 
mand tlie 121st O. Y. I., and never returned to us. 




Bi:ii;. (Jkn. Van V\.v. 



THE FIRST J'.ATTl.E OF FKAXKLIX. 

On the 10th of April X'an Horn made a direct attack 
u}H)n Franklin. The concentration of his force near Sju'ing 
Hill had been observed, and an attack had been expected for 
a day or two. General Stanley had been ordered to report 
with his cavahy division to General Granger, and was halted 
about four miles east of Fraidvlin, where he eould watch the 
ford at Hughes' Mill. General Smith's cavalry was held in 
eserve, Baird's division was sent to watch tiie crossings west 



/-jRsr iiATTi.r: oi- ir.wki.ix 



53 



of town, Icaxiiii:- (iilln'rt"s (li\i>i(>ii oiil\- t.. nn'ct ;i direct 
attack. Il was l)clic\ cd tliat tin- t-iifiny woiilil ciiilrax oi' to 
cros> ainl attack the ti'oo[i> in tlicii- (•ani|i> Ironi tin- nortli 
siili". iliii> ciittiiiii- oil' retreat ami in-urini:- tlie dot ruction ot' 
the toi'ce if defeated. The tort was tar Iroin eoni|ih-tion, 
l)Ut twi) hiru'e 1:1111^ Were ah'eady mounted and a secti(Ui ot" a 
tield l)atter_v was taken in t'oi- the occa>li'n. 

Uranii'i-rVs etlectiNe I'orce. inchidiui:- Stanh'\"s ea\ah"v, 
was 5,1m infant ly and J.Ti's cavah'v. \ an I Nun"- force 
was ahont nine thousand ca\'ah'y and two reL:inient> of 
infantry. The (hiy wa- ihirk.snMd<y anil wind\. The du>t 
was lilown from the k\v\ roads in i^'ranklin and lu'vond 
directly in the faces of the InicMi forces, and. tow-eiher with 
the other eonditions mentioned, made it i|uite iMipossilile lo 
distiuiiiiisli a femn' from a line of h<»rsi'men at a short distance. 
Contrary to all theories \'an hoi'ii ad\anced directly upon 
the town, apiu-oachinii' from the >oulh on the ('ohunhla and 
Le\visl)urii' pikes, advam-in^' rapidly, meet inii' no ri'sislaiice, 
owinu" to the withdi'awal of the ca\alry advance posts, until 
Ills skirmishers attackeil the iidantry 
pickets neai' the town. The tiring' at the 
])icket line was the lirst m>tn-e to the 
camp (d' the enemy's presence. The pick- 
ets wtM'e ilri\en into town on a run. The 
4<)tli <^hio, constitutiiiu' the picket resirxc. 
posted near the cotton nin. made a staml 
and checked the Confcdei'at es tor a tnue. 
l)nt were then force(l to fall ha(d< tt> the 
ri\er, elosei}' followed hy the enemy. At 
that time Orderly Serireant (Renville, of a vm.-n s. .....v, .v. 

Company H, who was at the ni'Wspaper (dlice in t<>wn doiiii:' 
duty as a i»rinter, concluded to Join the reu'iment forthwith. 
On the way he was (dtst-rved hy a rehel ti'oopei'. who put 
spurs to his horse and, u'aininu" rapitlly, raiseil hi- >alier to 
cut down the strasri^ler, who seenu-d to he .just within his 







54 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



i^'ras]), when a shot, lired by ^lalcolm Thompson, of Com- 
pany H, killed the pursuer. The Confederates spread all 
over the town, many of them entering houses, being under 
the impression apparently that our force was in full retreat, 
the line on the river bank being obscured by the dust and 
smoke. Very few of those who entered houses escaped ; 
nearly all were killed or captured by the infantry advancing 
undei" (xranger's orders. A report came to Granger within 
a few moments after the light opened from Brentwood, to 
the effect that the pickets at that point had been driven in, 
from which Granger, who could not see the extent of the 
enemy's force in his own front, was led to 
believe that the main attack would again 
be on the post at Brentwood. The cav- 
ah-y under Smith was therefore sent at 
once to Brentwood. A little later, when 
the front attack was more fully developed, 
Granger determined to reinforce Stanley 
and call in Baird to join Gilbert in driving 
the enemy back in front, while Stanley 
crossed at Hughes' Mill and fell upon his 
rear. The cavalry having gone to Brent- 
wood, the-125th Ohio and one other regiment of infantry 
was withdrawn from the line ami ordered to march rapidly 
to ITughes' Mill. About that time Stanley, hearing the 
uproar at J^'ranklin, crossed without waiting for orders and 
attacked the enemy on his front. That movement was met 
l>yVan Dorn promptly sending a sutticient force to over- 
whelm Stanley, while the residue fell Ijack slowly before the 
advance of (Jilbert andjBaird. The moment (Jranger learned 
of Stanley's move he sent an order for the infantry to double 
(piick, received by the 125tli within a mile from camp, and 
we did double (piick for a distance of about three miles. 
That the men accomplished the feat in good order }>roves the 
^■alue of traininii'. 




II. I',, (ill I'AiM'. i; 



FIKSl^ BATTl.l: OF FR.WKI.IX 



55 



We iirriwd to liinl Staiilcv alrt'iulv lalliiiu' li;i<'k. Iiaiil 
pressed, ami a- tlic IJ.')tli wciil torwartl i<> llii' post assiu-iicil 
it, we saw lyiiiu- iiiioii the iiM'ouiid wliat :-<>iiic iiiraiitryinen 
profess nevei' tn lia\e seen, r'li : dead cavalrviiu'ii, tiiie <»t 
tlieiu liavliiii- litM'ii di>iiat<-lic(l li_v a salier tlini>t, niakiiiii" :iii 
ugly gush ill his throat. The liriiig eeased almost lielure th.- 
12.")tli gained its position and we did not fire a shot. .Mioiit 
the time the lii-'nli left the linr at I''i-anl<lin, \'an l»oni 
plan1c(| a liailery near ("aricr"> house and iti'L^an i hrowinn' 
shells into the eanij>, the llash ol' the u-iins giving to the 
artillerymen in the tort tlu' tii'>t noti«e of its loeatiini. .Ml 
the guns in the foi-t responded, and the 
Coid"e«lerat(.' Iialti-ry was (|niekly with- 
di'awn. In Stanleys a<lvanee, the 4th 
r. S. ("axalryearne upon a Confederate 
hattei'y of si.\ pieees. and ehaiging, eap- 
tured the hattery, together with from 
two hundred to three hninlri'd men, Imt 
were in tni'ii charged hy a superior t'oiTe 
from the l!aid<. part of wliieli hy rapid 
movement gained their rear. The hat- 
tery was lost again: fmr ot the guns 
heinu' >iiike<l, however, and all tin- prisoners hui oue captain, 
oue lieutenant and thirty-four nu'M eti't cted their escape. 

The 12')tli hivouacked for the night near llnghe>" .Mill 
and marched hack to camp i-ariy ui-xt luorning. 

The losses on the HMJi wei'e sutlicieiit to call the affair a 
battle, and the tro()i)s [U'esent wi're authori/.ed to in>crihe 
" Franklin "" np(»n their flags. 

After the action on the lOth tin- enemy made no mo\i'- 
ment of im|Mniance in that \icinity until after the lL*."»tli left 
Franklin. 

On .\pril J7 the Ti-xas Legion, posted on tin- Cai-ter's 
Creek road, were surrounded Just hefoi-e daylight and 
charge<l upon 1>\' our cavalry, who ca|>tured nine otiicers 




.l.\MI> I'.MiKX. B. 



56 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



and W'l men, besides 300 horses, wagons, mules, and camp 
equipao'e. 

After tlie lOtli ot April work on the fort was pushed 
with greater energy. An order was issued by General Gilbert 
directing that at " fatigue call," which called the command 
to work on the fort on alternate days, all of the available 
men not actually on duty elsewhere must be marched to the 
fort, the regimental commanders reporting to the othcer of 
the Pioneers for instruction. That order held until May 18, 
when tlie woi-k liad so far progressed that an order was 

issued reducing the woi-king force 
to a daily detail of forty men from 
a regiment. When not at work on 
the fort or on picket, drill went on 
with the certainty of fate, seldom 
interrupted \^\ rain or anything 
else. The weather was warmer 
^j^ tlian it is in Ohio at that season of 

W^-^ll^^^^^ '^''^ year. Shelter tents were dis- 
^^^Ktk covered to be infci'ior to a shingle 
jHP^^^ roof as a protection from the sun's 
"" rays. We close the record for April 

SKinrr. Sknm:nv .1. sji;i;ai,v, G. .,, ^ j. i. j? t 

With a tew extracts trom a diary : 
"April 7. — General Gilbert drilled the division, two 
brigades. We marched forward and back in line of battle, 
wheeled, changed front to right and to left, threw out skir- 
mishers and recalled them. It was more exercise and more 
vigorous exercise than we liked on a hot day."" 

"April 1(). — The l^otli received new hats to-day trom 
riiihidel[ihia. paid tor out of the comjjany savings. Tliey 
are iiner and better looking than those supplied by the (piai-- 
termaster."" 

"Ajiiil l".t. Sal)l)ath Pay. — Chaplain Lemuel F. Drake, 
121st O. A', k, preached in camp." 



/.oss/':s roR a/'r/l, /S6j. 



57 



"Ajii'il :')(). — Our losses \\)\- ihr iiKHitli li:i\f I.ch'Ii as 
follows: I)ii'tl — SiiiK.ii Ilorrinu-, liosjiital >tc\\ai(l, X'n-liohis 
Keck and J^avid .lack. ..(" (', all tlircH' iiitfrrrd jit .\a~li\illr : 
iiumbor of gi'avcs not known to writer. Cliarlcs W. Iltiirv, 
ot I'). (I'u'd at ("aniii Cliasc ami was inti-rrrd in (ira\f 1 1'. 
(4roen J^awn ('cnu-tLTy, ('olnnil»us, Ohio: .lolm < >. Tliomas, 
of ]), (iravc r.t'.i. Secti..ii D. Xaslix ilK- : .ImIm, |'. K..iit^. of (I. 
(Jra\(-' 2ti7. Section !']. Xaslix illc : .laiiics \l. hml^-r. of II, 
Gra\i' ;)19, kSeetioM E, Xaslixilk-; Lt'\ i S|ilitst(»iie, ot" JJ, 
Gi'iix'e liltl, Section Iv, Stone liiver Oeinctei-y, Murfrccslioro : 
Sannu'l Kesslei', of I). (ira\r 4<>. I'^ranklin Section of Ston«' 
liixcr ( 'cincti'iy : .Mcrc(litli 1*'. M\an>, of 1>, (ira\e 1^5, same 
section and cemeterv : Lewi> ( >l(lrid*i-c, of !•]. (ira\«' :>l):>, 
same section and cemetery: dolin Trnlie. of M. <;ra\i' 1'2. 
same s».'etioii and cemetery; William Watson, of Iv (Jrav*- 
liTl. Section K. Stone lii\er: dolm .V. Stewart, ot' !•'. (irave 
'24, l^'ranklin Section, Stone liiver. 

•• Lieut. Ool. Henry !>. Banninu- lias lieeii t ran<f.'rrc(| to 

the li'lst O. V. 1.. MaJ. (Jeoi-.ue L. W 1. 

Caj't. Isaac I). Sjiauldin<i". Lieut. Ileman 
Jv. Harmon and 1/ieut. Kilcy M. Merrill 
ha\\' resiii-ned, and the i'ollowini:' eidi-teil 
men ha\'e lieeii discliaru'ed on suri;-eon"s 
certiticate of <lisal»ility. ''':.• lieni-y L. 
Barricks and Josepli !>. Xaylor. of A: 
D. I). Mi-Michael, I'juerson l>i'ainar(l ami 
(-Jeoi'ii'e I^'reiich, of 15: Wilmcr .1. \Vest, 
JJnus II. IJrockett and Samuel T. .Morri- 

,• / ■ i> . / ' CI.' Wa^iiinhto.n .Tones, H. 

son. ol ( : l)enton Oassaway, ot |', : 

Charles Ilarhye and Aaron Muck, of I'\ and ( >rd. Sei'i:"t. 

dustus M. Silliman, of (i. 

•"The otHcers liaxe si«:'ne<l and forw ai'<lcd to the ( Jo\ crncu' 
of ( )hio a request tor the ajipoint ment of l>a\i<l II. Moon- 
as Major, lie to I'ecruit the two additional com|>anlc- reijuired 
to make a full reu'inicnt. 




S8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



" Lienteiiaiit Stewart, of A, has been promoted to Cap- 
tain of 1)."" 

The month of Ma}' passed without eontiict. The enemy 
did not disturb us, and we proceeded with our dail,y routine, 
content to wait for a ii,'eneral adxance and a decisive cam- 
paign. We lived weH. Rations were abundant. Lieuten- 
ant Humphrey, acting Commissary, had a bakery prejiared, 
and issued soft bread in lieu of hard tack. The daily train 
from Kashville frequently brought boxes of eatables from 
Ohio sent by friends. The bo3's managed to procure milk 
and other luxuines in the neighborhood. A few extracts 
from the diar}' will sufficiently show our manner of life : 

''May 1. — The regiment started at 2 a. m. with the 
entire di\ision on a reconnoissance towards Spring Ilill. 
Marched six miles, when the enem3-"s achance guards fall- 
ing back as our cavahy advanced, we were then halted and 
mai'ched back to camji, arriving at 10 a. m. 
''Mrs. Cliff and others took tea at 
ColoneTs Opdycke's quarters this e\ening. 
"Adjutant AVhitesides purchased 
Major Wood's bay horse, "Billy."' He is 
a beauty. George Detriek, of E. has been 
promoted to hosjiital stewai'd. ITe and 
J. Fos. Scott, of F, were medical students 
before enlistment, and both have been 
doing dut}' as assistants to the surgeons." 
"May 3, Sunday. — Willam Maloy, of 
F, died to-day. He has been acting as andjulance driver for 
two months. One week ago to-day lie came to Captain 
Parks and said, " Captain, we are going home.'' "I hope 
so,'' saul the Captain, Maloy replied: "There is no doubt 
about it, this book says so,'' and held \\\\ a jiocket bible. By 
that time the Captain saw that the man was ill and di'lirious. 
He went with him to headipuirters. Surgeon McHenry 
thouii'lit he mi^■llt be sent hoiiu', hut it was not done at once, 




HKIC. Gr.N.U.\V..I(.II.\SuN. 



/■:X7'A'.IC7'S FROM n/.lRY. 



59 



and he uTrw W(»rsi' rajiidly. It \\a> a \crv sa<l tlratli. II.' 
rei)eiiteclly c-alk'(l tor iiis wifr and liltU- u-'irl, an<l Liftlinu' no 
res]ioii.so, w<mld say: "My dariinys, I'm coininii- liomc."' lie 
sjioke the names of tjie absent loved ones witli almost his 
last In-catli." 

••May o. — (ieoro-e Riininiaire, eoloicd, was enlisted to-d;iy 
in Company C as undercook. Ordei-s to-night to strike tents 
at signal "stand to arms"" in the morning." 

" May <!. — Broke eanq* ami mo\ *-d o\er to C'artei-*s 
wood; pitehed tents dui'ing a shower of rain, and tom- 
nienced tV-liing the trees. The entire division is here and at 
tlie same work."" 

••May 7. — Still slashing timlter. The guns on the fort 
will ha\e a elear sweep when we 
finish."" 

•■May S. — The l)(.'aiitiful gro\ e 
is a thing of the [>ast. The di\i>ion 
goes l»aek to the (dd camp in the 
moi'ning. We slay here lor pieket 
duty to-niori'dw."" 

.. May 1(1. — Relieved t rom 
[.ieket l»y the ll.")th Illinois."" 

•• May li'.— (,). M. Sngt. M.l- 
\in \\. Jlillis lia> l»een discharged 
for disahility. and Sergt. William 
11. c I (twi'li, ot 1), has heen |)romoteil 

to till the \aeaiiey. and ('orp. KoJiii |). Uariie- gets ("rowelTs 
place as Sergeant." 

••May 10.^< )ii pjcki't on xuith side. ('ohuiel and 
Adjutant dined at Mrs. Xeely's. Lieutenant Uariies and I 
dined at Mr. Carter's, and his tiaughters, liaiidMune. luiglit 
girls, about 14 and 10 years oid. playeil the piano for us; 
good, reliable secesh music. They dcelined to fa\or us with 
L^nion souii's. Their brothers are in the Southern Armv."* 




6o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



"May 25. — Target practice this iiiorninii-. Adjutant 
Whitesides made the best sliot. Brigade drill at 5 p. m.'' 

"May 81, Sunday. — Relieved the 115th Illinois on 
picket on south side. 

" Peter Dennnee, of Company PI, has been apjtointed 
principal musician. 

"Our losses have been heavy this month. By death: 
Amos HuntsV)erger, of D, who was discliarged on March 3, 
but by some fatality the discharge failed to reach him at the 

hosjiital in Xashville, and he died 
on the Otli of this month. Had he 
received the dischai'ge promptly he 
would have reached home, and 
might have recovered. Ilis grave 
is Xo. 551, Section E, jS'ashville. 
William Maloy, of F, interred in 
Stone River Cemetery, and Jessie 
Baldwin Guilford, of K, in Stone 
River Cemetery, numbers of graves 
not known to writer; Orrin F. 
Gates, of B, Grave 1, Franklin Sec- 
tion, Stone River; George AV. Cal- 
vin, of A, Grave 8, and Sergt. Samuel Corwin, of E, both in 
Fraidvlin Section, Stone River; Victor Lambody, of G, 
Grave 277, in Section K, and Isaac Goodman, of A, Grave 
270 in same section, l)oth in Stone River Cemetery; Edward 
Wilcox, of F, Grave 1168, Section B, New Albany, Ind. ; 
James Thompson, of F, Grave 62, Section B, Row 3, Cave 
Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Ky., and Elmer H. Waters, of B, 
in same cemetery. 

" Capt. C. C. Baugh, Lieut. Charles Ilarslnnan and 
Assistant Surgeon Porter ^'ates liaxe resigned, and the fol- 
lowing enlisted men have been discharged on surgeon's cer- 
tificate of disability: Melvin E. Ilillis, Quartermaster Ser- 
geant; Corp. Darwin F. Allen, of B; David Baxter, of D 




lilETT. lM'in:\iM r. ICn'ans I is(i2). 



TA'.LYs/'/:/,' TO /iARi<i:i<s niacAiv:. 



6 1 



James Siu-K-r and -lolm Siiiii-cr, of \\\ .Inlm r,;irli,.iir ;iii(l 
Josc'pli A. Walker, of (i; (MMU'ii-c Strwait and ( 'liarlcs 
llarvcv, <d' II." 

<)n .liinc i! (;ill)crt"s dixision mai-rlifd i,i 'rilnnc. and on 
the '■\Yy\ (icni'i'al (irani;\'r"s licad(|iiart (•!•> canir also, leaving' 
liaii'd's di\lsi(in at I'^'anklin. < hi llie 7tli tlie eiieni\'s cav- 
ali\v made a s|iii-iled altaek at 'riiiine, l)iit wei'e lepidsed by 
oui' ea\ airy. 

( )n tlie Stii an order i>siied liy (ii-neral KosecraMs trans- 
t'oi'inc'd the troops of the Army of Kentiieky. ser\iiii( in 
his (lepartmont. into an or<:anization styled the " l\eserve 
Coi'l'S." leavini;' (ienerai (Jranu'er in etjnimand. ( )n the 
same day an orch'r was issued transferring the li'.'ith (>hio to 
the Third Uriuade. First Division, Twenty-tir>t Army Corps. 
Tliat l)rigade then eonsisted of the iI4th and »i")tli ()hio, r'rd 
Ki-ntueky and lli")t]i ( )hio, ("oj. 
Charles C.. Jlarker eommandini:". 
P>i"iu'. (ieii. Thomas .1. Wood was 
dixislon eoiiiiiiander and Maj. (ien. 
Thomas L. Crittenden, eorps com- 
mander. 

( )n the I'th the enemy auaiii 
demoiistrateil at Triune, drixini;' in 
the pickets and maintainiiii;" a liea\ y 
skirmish dui'inu" the atteiMioon. 

( hi till- II t h the enemy made a 
direct advaiu'c and planted a bat- 
tery, under eoxci' ol' which their 
ea\'alrv charu'ed and were I'epnised hy our caxalry. ()n each 
occasion tin' li!')tli was in line hut not under fire, excejit that 
a few shells [)assi'd oxer our heads. 

'^riie 12-')t]i remaine«l in camp at Triune until June lil, 
when We marched oxer to Murfreeshoro and went into camp 
with Marker's liriu'ade. The ti-ansfei- of the i-e^inient was 
hrouii'ht about by the intercession in oui" liehalt' of lii'iij. 




m;i I ^ H \i>H>i \ ■ 



62 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Oen. James A. Gartiekl, chief of staff to General Koseeraiis, 
Oeneral Garfield feeling' special interest in the regiment on 
account of his friendship with our Colonel, and from the 
fact that a majority of the otticers and meii were from the 
Western Reserve. At the time of the transfer the relations 
hetween Colonel Opdycke and General Gilbert were decid- 
edly strained. The latter had requested the Governor of 
Ohio to commission a young nian by the name of Gilford as 

lieutenant in the 125th in order to 
qualify him for detail as aide-de- 
camp on General Gilbert's statf. 
The Governor caused the commis- 
sion to issue. The first notice to 
the regiment of the threatened in- 
vasion of our ranks, ^^■as when the 
3'oung man called on the Colonel 
and requested an assignment to a 
compau}- to enable him to be mus- 
ered in. Tlie Colonel was indig- 
nant, and refused the assignment. 
I Ml II \. siKAiiMAN mm;.,). ^j^ angry correspondence ensued 

with the General. The Colonel called a meeting of our 
officers to consider tlie case, and all agreed that no c'i\ilian 
should gain a place that ought to be reserved as a rewartl lor 
meritorious conduct of our own men in the ranks. A letter 
was written to the Governor and signed by all the officers, 
pi-otcsting against the injustice to our enlisted men of pro- 
moting a civilian over them without the consent of any 
member of the regiment. 

The Colonel wrote to Senator Wade, explaining the 
affair, asking his assistance, and reminding the Senator that, 
while Gilbert was a captain in the regular army and had been 
appointed and was acting as brigadier general, his appoint- 
ment had not been confirmed by the Senate. In a short 
time the Senate fdiJcd to confirm, and C((j>f<iiii Gilbert was 




/.OSS AS FOR /rXE, iSO:;. 



63 



ordcri'tl on iliity riscw lici'c ri(ili:ilp|\ tlic iiii\\i-.c coiitost 
oviT a stall" a|>ii«(iiitiiifiit caused tlic \vi»'cl< ol' lii- militarv 
caiTcr. 

()ii .liiiic ■l'.\ llii- ri'ii'iiiu'iit was liisjifftc(|. and orders 
received to niareh witli tin- eonnnand next day in the ad- 
vance on Tullalioma. 

\W' clor-c tliis cliapter witli record of los>es lor .hme. 

Malcolm 'riioniiisoii. of II, left the rank> on the march 
from Franklin to Triune, jirohahly to do some forai^'inu' on 
his own act-onnt. and never returne<l. It was reportcil in 
the ri'u'imonl soiue months later that he had heen ea}itMrc(l 
hy the eiK'my. sonu' ont' claimin<i' to 
have seen an aeeount of him in the 

('huttiOiODqd litlnl . 

Tlie followiiiii- i> a list of ct)m- 
I'atK's who died in dune: A<lani 
liassett, of (i. died at b'raid<lin and 
■was liuried at Nashville : William 
{)sl>orn. td' A. died at Kraid<lin. and 
was liurieil in (ira\f ")4:i. Section d. 
Stone liiver Cemetery. Murfrees- 
1»oro: doel X. Williams, of V>^ died 
at l''i-aid<lin. interred in ( J I'ave 1* .')!>. 
Section K, St..ne Kiver (\"nietery: i-m ,. luu, ^w. r^vNKOsr.n. 
Fdi J. F<dtz. of F. died at .\asli\ille. inti'rr«-d in (Ji-ave 8!H, 
Seetion C'.Xashviile: Horace r>unnell. <d' A. died at Louis- 
\iile. and was interreil in Cave Hill ('cnu-tei'y: Alexander 
J), i'oliock, of A, died at \ash\ille and was huried there; 
Thomas dones, of G, dii-d at Louisville, and was interred in 
Grave 48. Section l'>. Uow •"'>. Ca\e Hill Cemetery. Lieut. 
Marshall M. liicdiards i-esiu-iied, and the following comrades 
were disehai'ii'eil on suru'eon's eertitieate : Michael Feri'inuer. 
Morii'aii lirown and William T. Snntii. ot' \\ \ William IIol- 
lister. of D: Michael Hunn. of K: Leander Cattrell. of F: 
Morris (iritHn. (d' (J. and Aha Sil\ crthorn. of II. 




CHAPTER V 



THE Tl LLAHOMA CA.MPAIGN AND HILLSBORO. 



Murfreesboro liaviiig been fortified as a depot, and sufii- 
cient supplies accumulated to justify another advance of the 
Army of the Cumberland, a campaign was opened on June 
23, 1863, which compelled General Bragg to abandon Middle 

Tennessee and fall back beyond the 
Tennessee River. At the time fixed 
for the advance, Buckner's corps of 
Bragg's army was in East Tennessee, 
and his cavalry force had been 
weakened to send Gen. John Mor- 
gan on his famous raid through 
Indiana and Ohio. Buckner was 
recalled, and by nsing the railroad 
succeeded in getting his command 
up, the last l)rigade arriving the 
Nery night Tullahoma was evacu- 
ated. It was too late to recall the 
cavalry when Rosecrans ad\ anced, and for once the latter 
had as many horsemen as his adxei'sary. 

Although no general engagement resulted, the mo\"e- 
ments inxohed hard work, severely testing the discipline 
and endurance of the troops. V>y skillful combinations, 
involving a few combats in which the Union losses were less 
than one thousand men, Rosecrans turned his opponent out 
of an intrenched line and forced him to retreat across tlie 
Tennessee River. 

In his oflicial report, (Jeneral Rosecrans described the 
enemy's position as follows: " Tlieir main base of supplies 
was at Chattanooga, but a vastly su[)erior cavalry force had 
enabled them to command all the resources of the Duck 




jr\i Gi \ A M( ij \r( ( 



TULLAlfOMA C.IM/'.I /(; X. 



65 



I\i\<'i' N'alK'V ami llu- (•(Hiiitry sunt li\vai<l. 'riillaliMiiia, :i 
large iiitrciiclinl caiiii'. sitiiaiitl on tin- • |>anfn>." at tlic 

intersoction of tin- XaslivilU- iV; Cliatta ga Kailiuatl with 

the Mi-Miiivillc Inanch, was their main ih'jiot. Its front was 
C()\ c-i'cd \)\ till' (Ictilrs of I)iirk lii\<T, a ih-rp, narrow >trram 
with hnt tV'W lords or hridux-s, and a ronL'h, rocd<v ranirc of 
liills which di\i(k' thi- -JJarrciis' t'rom the hiwi-r h-vcl of 
Middle Ti'iiiK'S.sev. iiragg's ma;n arm\ oc(ii|iicd a stroiiaf 
[)(»siti()n nortl) of J)iR'k Ivixcr. the infant ry cxtcndinu from 
Shelhyvilk' to Wartrare, and tln-ir ca\ah-v on tln-ir right to 
McMinxilk" and on their left to C'olinnhia and S[»ring Hill, 
where Forrest was eoneent rated and 
threatening Franklin. The imsition of 
Bragg's infanti'v \va> eoNcred liy a range 
of high, rough, roeky hills, the iirinelpal 
rontes passing sonthward from MurtVeo- 
boro toward Tnllahoma, and the line ol 
tlie enemy's eoinninnieations are: The 
Manehester i>ike. passing thesi- hills 
throngh Hoovers (lap. ami aseending to 
till' "Uarri-ns" throngh a long dilKenlt 
eanon ealled Matt's Hollow: tin- Wart- 
raci' I'oad through Liherty (iap. wliieli passes into the one 
along the railroad hy l>ellhnekle <ia|>: the Shelhyville tnrn- 
piki', rnnning throngh ^'Hys (ia|>: the Middletown dii't 
road : the road l»y ^'ersailles into the Slielhyville and Trinne 
roads, hotli ot" whieli avoid ]iasses and ha\e few defiles. 

••The enemy held all these passes, and his main po>ition 
in front of Shelhy\ille was strengthened hy a redan line, 
extending iVom Horse Monntain on the east to Huck liivcr 
on the \\est. covered hy a line ot' ahattis."" 

If Ivosecrans conid pass his army through tlu' ga|>s and 
eoncentrat*' at or near Manehester, the strong (kdensivc line 
north of |)uck River would he untenahle. and Urairir niust 




>r\.I.<iKN. .1. S. N'Kiil.KV. 



66 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



then defend Tullahoma by giving battle on tlie plateau, 
where he would have no advantage arising from the char- 
acter of the ground, or await an attack within his intrench- 
ments at Tullahoma and risk losing his railroad. He seems 
to have exi)eeted that Rosecrans would avoid the difficult 
passes and advance b}^ Shelbyville. At least the elaborate 
preparation about Shell)yville and the weakness of the force 
found in each of the gaps on tlie other routes indicates as 
much. Eosecrans preferred to avoid a direct attack upon 
the intrenched line, where success if obtained must be by 
dint of hard blows, and would leave to Bragg safe avenues 
of reti'eat on good roads. He decided to turn the enemy's 
right flank by way of Manchester. The initial movements 
were designed to deceive Bragg and lead to a concentration 
of his forces in the direction of his left flank and away from 
the coveted passes. 

Genei-al Granger was ordered to take his forces to 
Triune, west of Murfreesboro, where 
he could advance by the Shelby- 
ville and Triune pike. On June 
23, Granger, under orders, sent 
Mitchell's division of cavalry on the 
Kaglevillc and Shelby\ille })ike to 
make a furious attack and drive in 
both tlie cavalry and infantry out- 
posts of tlu" enemy to his main line, 
^^^^^^^ at the same time advancing with his 
I ^^^^ jBBiiHB own infantry and I>rannan's division 
Lff Jnni^^^^^^^H of the Fourteenth Gorps to Salem. 

On the same day 1 aimer s (hvision 
(if the Twcntyflrst Gorps moved off east from Murfreesboro 
to the vic-inity of Brady ville, taking a brigade of cavalry, 
with orders to seize the head of the deflle leading up to the 
"Barrens'' liy an obscure dirt road leading on to Manchester 
by Lundey's Station. 




TUfj.Mfo.MA c.\.\rr.\n;x. 



67 



Oil tin- iiioniiiii;- «.f the J4tli the fiitii-.- ai'liiv \v;is in 
motion. M.CookV ((.ips (Twentieth) a«lv;iiii"et| on the 
Shelhy\ille iua<l, one (li\isi(>ii to P'osterx ille to eover tlu- 
iiioveiiieiit of the other two (li\isioiis, they turniiiii: to the 
left after jn'oeeediiij^ a few miles into a f.»a<l h-adiiii:- h\- \\a\- 
t)f MiMershtirii- to Liherty Gap. Grani;Hi-'s eorps ami Kran- 
nan's dixision advaneed towai'd ShelhyviUe, Urannan also 
tiirninu- to the h-ft after a few miK's to pass \\\ Christiana 
and Join the Twentieth Corps. The advaneed division of 
the Twentieth Corps was also to rejoin hy way ot ('hristiana 
after Granger havinu" demonstrated towards Shdhyville also 
passed over to within supjiortiiiu- di>taii«c. Thomas, with 
the Fourteenth Cor[is. nioxcd on tin 
Manehester pike direct to Hoover's (iap. 
Crittenden left Van Cleve's division to 
garrison Miiil'reeslK>ro, and ordi-red 
Palmer to achanee followed hy Wood, 
the hitter's di\ision to eamp the first ; 
night at l)oiiald"s Church on the Urady- i 
\ille road almost due east from Mur- 
freeshoro. It will be seen that the 
demonstration of the day before toward> 






.l.\>. C. I'l.KMIMi, K (1"M.;!|. 



Shelby\ille was emphasized by the diree- 
tion taken and apparent destination of the bulk of the army 
on the morning of the 24tli. and tlu- ruse appears to ha\"e 
been etfeetive. McCooks nu-n took Liberty (iaj* after a 
sharp light, and AVilder's mountt'd brigade surprised and 
earrietl Hoovers (ia}) before the main infantry supjioi-t ol' 
the small foree guarding it eould be brought up. and when 
the eni'my did arrive Wilih-r loiight them until Iveynolds' 
division of the Fourteenth Corps arrived. Neither jiass was 
hehl by a suttieient foree. 

The orders for .lum' :2-") were for Thomas to advance 
ami dri\e the enemy beyond Fairtield toward Wartrace, 
MeCook to advance and take jiosition behind Thomas at 



68 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Beech Grove, leaving a division to hold Liljerty Ga[), which 
vi'as to he withdrav^n later and follow, Crittenden to advance 
to Lnmley's stand, six miles east of Beech Grove. Should 
Thomas succeed in driving the force on his tlank toward 
Wartrace, he was to leave a division to cover the road and 
march rapidly to Manchester, to he followed hy McCook on 
the pike and l)y Crittenden on the road from Bi'adyville via 
Lumley's stand. Granger and the cavalry were to make 
demonstrations farther to the right. 

Ir l)egan raining on the morning of the 24th, and rained 
incessantly tor eight days, greatly retarding movements, so 
that most of the operations ordered for the 25th were not 
concluded until the 26th. Thomas hav- 
ing advanced, driving the enemy hefore 
him, heyond Fairfield, Reynolds' division 
with l)aggage moved during the night of 
tlie 2(3th to within live miles of Man- 
chester, Wilder's hrigade having seized 
Matt's Hollow during the afternoon, thus 
securing the passage. 

On the 27th Reynolds' and part of 
Negley's divisions arrived at Manchester. 
Sheridan's division arrived on the 28th, 
and all of McCook's and Crittenden's divisions w^ere up 
hefore night on the 29th. In the meantime, on the 25th, 
after McCook had marched to join Thomas at Beech Grove, 
leaving Jolmson's division to guard Liherty Gap, the enemy 
made an attem[>t to recover the gap, but were easily repulsed. 
On the 27th, when Rosecrans' advance reached Manchester, 
Bragg immediately abandoned his intrcnclimcnts alxnit Shel- 
by ville. Granger and Stanley, who had joined Granger 
with tlie cavalry, advancing at the same time, occupied 
Shelby ville, having met with but slight resistance at Guy's 
Gap and from the rear guard at Slie1by\'ille. 




Ja.mks ])i;nnv, ]■'. 



'JL'I.I.AIIO.MA iWMIWmX 



69 



()ll tlu' '1\^\\\ (iflicnil 'I'lmllias ;iil\ ;illi-t'(l iVolii M ailrlicsl el- 

to Ci'iiiii|it(nrs C'r(,'i,'l<, iiostiiiii' I>r;iiiiH>ii on tiic ri^'lit. \U'\- 
Dokls iK'Xt oil tlic U-t't with lir;i(li|iiailcr> at ("oin-onl ( "liiircli. 
Noii'k'V one iiiilo tui'tlKT to tlic Id't. wliilc Slu'ridan's dix ision 
of the Twentieth Corps juhaneed to the liiiht and north ot 
])raniioii. ( )n dune :)0 reconnaissanco wi'rc made tVoiii 
each division. On diilv 1 di>liii>on and havis were orih'rt-d 
to advance to tlie riu'ht of Sht'ri(hin and Tahnrr and Wood 
to take |>o>ition on the U-tt of Thomas. Imt het'ore the hist 
(knisioii was tairlv nnck'r wav iiitt'lHu'cnce was i-eei-iNcd ot 
])rau'ii-"s I'etreat, he lia\inu' e\aenated the work- at Tidhi- 
lioma ikiriiiii' the niydit. 

r>nl tor tlie eontinuous rains it would ha\'e heeii im|M.<- 
siblc tor Braii'ii" to ha\c remained as Ion u' as hi' (knl withcuit 
iiii'ktinii,' a l)attk'. It was Imt a shiu't mareii to Mstell S|iriin:s, 
wliere the raih'oad crosses the I'^lk Kiver siuitheast of 'I'nlhi- 
homa. and thi' tk'st rin-tioii ot the Kridu'i' or of the railwav 
bi'h>w woiihl ha\'e reinU'red 'I'ulhihoma 



A 



1 



untenahk' and matk' it diilii'idt for IJraiii:' 
to remove his supjilies. Thi- (kifHcidtv 
oi" niovinii' men ami the im[i()ssil)ilit\" (>! 
iiioNinu" artillery oi' wau"ons across the 
tields, no thuiltt (k'terred liraijii' from 
giving' hattle I'ither in the vicinity o! 
Fairtii'hl to }iri'\'ent the adxaiice to Man- 
chester oi" near Mam-liester. The fact 
that Unckiier's Corps was hrouu'ht for- 
ward proves tliat he (kid not in the 
Ijcii'innini;- inteiul to retreat without tiu-hting. (ieneral 
Jiosecrans has keen criticised ky some writi'i's for not atkanc- 
ing at once and rajiicky tVom Nkiiiehi'sti'r upon 1-Ntill Sprini^-s 
witlioiit waitini'' for all the (kvisions to come up. and al>o foi* 
sendkiii" Crittenden' corps so far to the east. It must ke 
rememkered that the (kirt roads on whick Critternk'n's corps 
mai'ched would lia\e heeii just as ii'ood as the jiikes hut for 




.T. Ai.r.i.in MATTinms. is. 



70 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the extraordinary rain, and tbat he was in better suppcn-ting- 
distance of Tliomas at Beecli Grove from Lumley's stand 
six miles away to the east than he would have been if fol- 
lowing Thomas on the pike throngh Hoover's Gap. i^o 
man who ])articipated in that struggle with mud will ever he 
convinced that Roseci'ans could ha^'e 
accomplished more than he did. 

The total losses in killed and wound- 
ed of the Army of the Cumberland did 
not exceed six hundred men. Bragg's 
loss in killed and wounded was about the 
same, and he lost besides over sixteen 
hundred men who were ca[itured and 
about four thousand b}' desertion, so that 
his elfecti\'e force was about six thousand 
less after crossing the Tennessee than it 
His retreat occurring at the same time 
with the surrender of Vicksburg and the defeat of Lee at 
Gettysburg, must have contributed to make many a South- 
ern man despondent of final success. 

EXTRACTS FKOM DIAKY. 




Ci.AKK Van AViE, ('. 

was at Duck River 



June 24. — Marched at 7 a. m. towards Mancbester; 
made twelve miles and camped for the night at Donald's 
Church. Rained all day. Heard cannonading off to our 
right in afternoon. 

June 25. — Tlie 12.Jth acted as train guai'd to-day. 
Marched at 8 a. .m. in a heavy shower of rain. Was detained 
by bad roads and troo[)s preceding us on the road. Passed 
Bradyville at noon ; camped at 4 i". .m., distance made only 
six miles. 

.lune 26. — Still raining. In camp all day waiting for 
I'alnicr's wagons to get up tiie mountain and give us the 
road. 



JLX'/'R.ICrS FROM D/.IA'Y 



.luiU' -11. — M:ii\-lu'(l at Itl \. M. A>ct'ii<lr«l tlic liill to 
the *• Uarifiis,"" IcaNiiiii- tuir wa^'ciis w it li Wau'iicr- liriijadt' to 
Iii'iiiii' tlu'iii up. It raiiinl most ot" tin- daw ("aiii|it'il at 
4 1'. \i. ; distaiit-r i:-aiiUMl, tivf miles. 

.Iiiiu' :^S, Siiii(hi_v. — Marflir(l at ."> \. \i.. our rci^'inn'iit in 
iidvaiicc. k^everal liciixy sliowors. Camiifd at 4 i'. M. <)iir 
wau'oiis came iij> — [laft ot" them. 'I'wo were hopelessly 
mired and were l»iiriie(L 'I'lie animals ww on half ratii)Ms. 
Ma<h' ten miles to-day. 

dune lii*. — In I'amp all day. Kaiiied several sli(twers. 

dune -iO. — Marched at ti \. M.. oiir hriLi'ade train i^nard. 
Iveachod Manclu'ster at 10 \. m. Mnemy repoi-tcd in force at 
Tullahoma, 11 miles distant. Marchetl 
four ndles to-day. 

didy 1. — Marclie<l at ')::iO v. m. ami 
camped at !> i". .m., on road to Hillshoro. 

duly -1. — Marched at ."> a. m., pass* m 
llillsltoro at 7 ami halte(l near I'elham ai 
1 I'. M. At 4::'»tl marched au'ain, retrac- 
iiiii" our steps towards Hillshoro. Camjied 
at iS I'. M. in a wheat ficM. I)i>ian<'i' 
to-day eiii'hteen miles. 

dulyo. — Marched at •"> \. \i., halted 
at 8 A. M. at Hillshoro. At 11 \. .m. marched auain ha(d< 
towards IV'lham. Halted at 4:;)<) i-. .m. near our old camp. 
Distance to-day twcdve miles. H rained in afternoon. 

duly 4. — In camp near I'l'lham. Kain showers fiH'- 
quent. A dispateli reeeivetl says Vickshuru' has t'alh'ii. \\\ 
artillery salute of thirty-four umius was tired in honor of the 
event, ddiere has l)een some vii:'(»rous toi'au'in.i:' to-day hy this 
command. For ti\'e days past have heen on hall rations. 

duly ■'). — MiU'e rain and nnu'e t"ora<;*in<:\ 

duly <I. — A disjiat(di was read to tlu' reuinient hy Adju- 
tant Whitesides ti-Hing of a glorious vict<u'y hy the Army of 
the Potomac at (iettyslmrL;". I*a. We ijave our eastern com- 
rades three elu'ers. 




M \.l. liKN. .1. .\1. r.U.MI.K. 



72 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



HILLSBORO. 



On July 8 the 1st iiiid ord ]>rii!;a(k's of Wood's dixisioji, 
under orders marched to llillshoro and went into camp, 
remaininii' there six weeks. 

The eomniiesioned otHeers of the 12otli found them- 
selves witliont tents, it being reported, hut not otticially, that 
the otiicer in charge of the wagon train liad dumped them 
to lighten the loads. However that may have l)een, they 
ne\er came u}>. A tent was procured for 
hea<lquarters, and a il}' taken from a hos- 
})ital tent was made to cover the beds of 
all the line officers. Some of the officers 
had sutfered a still greater loss, liaving 
failed to tind iheir valises in any wagon 
that came that way, and being compelled 
to order new oni's and new di'css uniforms 
from Ohio. 

Fi'om the tirst to the last day at 
i.T. (iKN.WM.i. HM.M... ni]ig|„,,.o the troops were kept busy Avitli 
incessant drills, daily dress })arade, fatigue duty, guard duty, 
inspections and all the details of camp life. 

In the officers' school, i>utterfiel(rs work, "Camp and 
Outpost Duty for Infantry," and other militar}' works were 
carefuly stiidied. 

The Officer of the Day was required to inspect the men's 
quarters and all parts of the camp daily, reporting in detail 
the condition of the grounds and quarters as to cleanliness 
and neatness; and he also inspected the cooking, assuring 
himself that both l)eans and bacon were fit to eat before 
l)eing ser\-ed. 

The daily dress [)arade was preceded ])y an inspection of 
arms, e([uipments and clothing. Books were supplied, in 
wliich all the details of the several inspections \vere recorded, 
each nnm being given his proper per cent, in the company 




////./.SJiOA'O. 



ri'ciii'd, ;iiiil each (•(>iii|.aiiy its pi-ojK'r a\'i.-i':ii:"i- in tlit- rcii-i- 
inciital record. 'IMicit was rivalry t<» oKtaiii flic liiulif>t 
gl'adf. and after a i'cw" day> tlic inspector seldom t'oiind a i;Min 
ill condition to mark lii> while t:'lo\-e. oi- disco\-cred soiled 
clotlnnu' or untidy (|iiartei->. Tlie etleet ol' that t rainini:' wa~ 
iioticealde to the end ol' the war. The men ol' the lli-'>tli 
always thereatter made the l»est ai'iiearance [lossiWle iimU'r 
the eircuiii.staiices in which they were phu-ed. and were often 
diil>l)ed " rcii'idars'" hy nn^n si'rxiiii:- in regiments less thoi-- 
<)U^"hly instriU'ted. (iood health |>re\ailed. and hard woik 
ke[tt muscles in condition to endure hard marching wIicm 
tlie next adNance should he oi'deietl. It is worthy of i.ote 
that at this time ahout all the men i>l' weak |>liy>i<|Ue were 
already out ot the service or in hospital and c(Mi valesceiit 
camps, tVom which they were discharsi'cd or tran<terred to 
the \'eteran Jieser\i' Corps. Almost all 
the losses from causes otiiei' than uun 
shot wounds occurred in the lir>t year. 
In 1S(I4 only seveiiti-eii men dieil from 
causes other than i>-un shot wounds, ten 
of tlu-m in the two lU'W eonipanie> 
(I and I\ ) and part of the others in i-ehel 
prisons, the rest heiiii:' men who had 
joined as lecruits. In lS(.!o tivi' died 
from disease, four of them havini;' joined 
within a yi-ar as recruits. 

It was apparent when we \\v\\\ into cani|i at the close ot 
the 'J'ullahoma campaiu'ii, that it wouhl he a w^rk ol wetd<s 
if not months hefoi'e the railway ct)uld l>e restcued, cars and 
locomotives ]U'(tcured, supplies accumulated near the front, 
and all thinu-s prt'jiared to >u>tain the army in it< iie.xt 
advaiUH', which mu>t he to the south side of tin- Teniies.sec 
Uiver. 

The ever leiiutheninii- line of sup]'lies hecame n.on- and 
more suhject to interruption hy ea\alrv raid-, makinu" an 




-I i:.,l. .1 \i Mil .\\\\ Kl I . I' 



74 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



accnmulatioii of rations and forage near tlie army an intlis- 
pensable condition to its existence in the presence of the 
enemy, where concentration and slow progress w^ould make 
it impossible to live off the country. 

Colonel 0[)dycke took advantage of the situation to 
send sexeral ofRcers, each accompanied by two or three 
enlisted men, on recruiting service in Ohio, expecting to 
get them back, with a goodly number of recruits, in time 
for the next movement. 



EXTRAC^TS FROM DIARY. 



July 8. — Marched at 10 a. m. Arrived at Ilillsboro at 
4 p, M. ; distance, nine miles. Cam})ed. 

July 9. — Captains Parks, of F, and 
A'aliendar of II, Surgeon McHenry, 
Sergt. Maj. Seabury A. Smith, two ser- 
geants and several men started to Ohio 
on recruiting service. Lieutenant Ilum- 
jthreys is to command F. and Lieutenant 
Clark to command II. 

July 10. — Moved camp over to I'ond 
S})ring, one-half mile northwest of town 
in a beautiful gi'0\'e. 
skhct. .1. s. stin.i i:, K July 12. — Foraging parties l)ring in 

abundant sup[)lies, apples, potatoes, blackberries, etc. 

duly 13. — A camp guard stationed to-day. Too much 
irreguhir foraging. 

July 15. — Captain Yeomans arrived to-day fi-om Ohio, 
where he went to recover his liealth. 

July lb. — Semi-monthlN' inspection by Captain Eaton, 
65th O. \\ !., Brigade Inspector. 

duly lib — Six officers and 192 men of tliis regiment 
detailed to-day on various duties. 




in/.i.snoKO. 



.Inly 2<>. — Wi' arc |>racticln;:- tin- iii<t\ ciiicnts •• ail\ aiicr, 
tiriiiii-" ami ••retreat, tiriiii^-,"" in wlileli tiles are ilMnMed. tour 
liU'ii (lee[i, with intervals lietweeii liles tlimiiuli wliieli rear 
rank men pass rniininLi' to tlie I'rnnt, tirini:' ami lialtini;" to 
load, while tlu' next rank pa^'^es tarther to ihe iVont. ami -o 
on. In retri'at the order is ro\i'rsed. the tront rank lii-inL;- 
and jiassino- to rear to load. It Iook> like an etleetixe 
inaiK'UVer. 

.Inly '1\ . — 'I'lie reii'inK'nt was paid this mornin<;- tor two 
months. 

duly lid. — (TOiicral Wood and ('oloiiel llarker inspected 
our camp, and said it was tlie hot in the — 
di\ision. 

duly oO. — Xo di-ill tliis atternoon on 
account ol' hard rain storm. 

duly -W. — Losses for duly are a> lol- 
lows : ("orji. Joseph ^\'ilson and i^ates 
Leroiitic strai;'ij;k'd on the niaridi on tic 
2nd inst. and were captured l»y the 
enemy; Thomas ('. dont's, of 1), died <ui 
the 2oth, and was interre(l in (irave .'.. 
Section N, Stone River C/cmetery, Mur- 

freesboro. Six men have l»eeii diseliari,'"ed on suri^coiTs cer- 
titicate of disahility, /■/':; doshua ( 'allahan, of A : ("harles A. 
Austin and Harrison 'I'urncr, of 15: Script, ("arlos W. Fisher, 
of 1^ : Augustus Duchman and (JeoiMt. Seic-niier. of Y. 
Seiu'uuer served in II hut mustered in V. 

August 2, Sunday. — Religious services at ii:.ln \\ \\. Ity 
Captain Powell, of the <;.")th O. \'. I. 

August 8. — New order for drills lo-day. ( HHcer>" drill 
at 7 A. M.. skirmish drill at s, company drill at 1 v. M.. ami 
battalion drill at 4; one hour tor eaidi ilrill. I>re-- jiaradt' 
at sunset. 

August."). — Adjutant W'hiti'sides and his coloi'ed hoy 
starte<l t(» Xash\illc on four ilavs" lea\"e. Will leavi- their 




76 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



horses at Sliell^yville and take cars. They have comniisioiis 
to purchase all they will be able to carry for the rest of us. 
August 9. — Whitesicles returned this evening. Reports 
that he met Colonel Banning at Shelb}^- 
ville, Dr. Cliff and Mrs. Iloft'man, from 
Franklin, at Nashville; Colonel Payne 
and Major Hampson, of the 124th, at 
Manchester, and had a good time gen- 




erally. 

August 13. — A heav}' storm of rain 
and wind to-(Uxy. A tree blown down 
injured several men in tlie 64th Ohio. 

August 14. — Inspection by battalion 
to-day, men ec[ui[i[»ed read}- to march. 
The Division Inspector olHciated. Tliis and other things 
indicate an early move. 

August 15. — Our sick men have been sent from regi- 
mental to general hospital. We anticipate orders to march. 



M( XruLAND, F 



(•ii.\i''i'i:u \i. 



CilUKA.MAll.A CA.MrAKiN. 

rAliilST Id TO SKITKMr.KK IS. ISf,.!.* 

W'lu'ii Gt'iicrnl IJrau'LC evnciintcd '^riilhilioina lie uc<-in»io(l 
Cliattaiiooii'a with llic main liody i»l lii> aiiiiv, |M>stiii<^ 
(k'taciiiiu'iits t(i watfli tlif v'ww crossiniifs aln»vi' aii<l liclnw. 

TIr' Army of the C'limberhiml did not immi'diatt'ly juir- 
suc. Tiic lU'Xt ohjiH'ti\c' toi- Kosocraiis was ( 'hattainH.u-.i, thu 
gateway to East Tennessee ami 
to ^S'ortheni Georgia. An adxanet' 
to tliat }ioint involved ci'ossing the 
Cumbei'land Mountains and also the 
Tennessee liiver. IJet'ore entering 
ujion an enterprise of sueh magni- 
tude, it was neeessary to repair the 
raili'oad and accumulate supi)lies at 
the front. My August 12 the rail- 
way was repaire<l to Bridgeport, 
Sheridan's division haxing moved 
tliere in adxance <»t" the general 
movement. (>n the Kith the cam- 
paign opened, in the next ti\e days the AiMny of the Cum- 
l)erland struggliMJ with and triumphed o\fr ilif ohstacles 
presente<l hy the rocky sh)[ies and had roads of the ("undier- 
land range, and lieads of columns reached the ri\erat various 
points above and below Chattanooga. It was Rosecraiis' 
purpose to cross the Tennessee River l>elow Chattanooga, 
and by threatening Bragg's line of supplies force the latter 
to the alternative of evacuating the town or risking the loss 
of the railway to Atlanta by which he was sujtjdied. The 
initial movements of our army were >o ordered as to deceive 
Bragg and lead him to ex[tect an effort to eross abo\e Chat- 




Ma.i. (.Jr.N. Tims. I,. <i:iriiNM N. 



78 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



taiiooga, where lie made preparations to resist, leaving- tlie 
river below guarded by cavalry only. Our several corps 
moved as follows: Crittenden's corps on the left; Wood's 
division from Hillsl)oro by Pelham and Tracy Oit}' to 
Therman in Sequatcliie Valley, tAventy-one miles north of 
Jasper; l*ahner"s division from Manchester to Dunlap, a 
few miles north of Therman: Van Cleve's division from 

McMinville to Pikeville, at the head 
of Sequatcliie Valley. Minty's cav- 
ulry on the extreme left drove 
Uibrell's cavahy toward Kingston. 
Thomas' corps was the center, and 
his divisions moved : lieynolds, fol- 
h»wed by Brannan. to the mouth of 

f,^mj^^^^-^ Battle Creek; Negley, followed by 
W^^^SKf i>aird, marched via Tantallon to 

Crow Creek, at a jtoint l)etween 
Anderson and Stevenson. Sheri- 
dan's di\ision of McCook's corps 
uv.vr. ui. „m:,, k. 11,,^,: (iMiii. ^^..^j, already at Bridgeport when the 

movement began. Johnson's division marched to Bellefonte 
and Davis' division to a point nearer Stevenson. All were 
concealed from the observation of the enemy ])0sted along 
the river. Hazen's brigade of Palmer's division and Wag- 
ner's brigade of Wood's, with Wilder's brigade of mounted 
iniantry, ]>uslied on across Walden' Ridge, and together with 
Minty's cavalry, made themselves offensively conspicuous 
along the river from Chattanooga to Harrison's Landing and 
above, moving from point to point, blowing bugles, exhil)it- 
ing artdler}' and troops, building numerous fires at niglit, 
throwing pieces of planks and logs into creeks to tloat down 
and suggest the construction of boats, and l»y various expe- 
dients trying to convince the enemy that oui- nniin body was 
concentrating there, when in fact i»rei)arations were in pro- 
gress to cross manv miles below. At davlight on the "2l>th 




CA'OS.s/X(; Till-: tixxessf.e. 



79 



part of Davis' dixision frosseil at CaiK-rtonV in |M.iii(Htii 
boats, drtnc oil' a small torci' of tl:t* ein.'iiiy\s cavalry aiul 
quickly laid a liriduc on whicli the rest of the division 
crossed, followed liy dolmson and Xc^lrx. Slu-ridan ci-osx-d 
l»y a jiontoon and trestle eondiine<l at r>ridw-,.|„,|-t. Haird fol- 
lowinu'. J)i'annaii i-rossed at the month of IJattle Creek on 
rafts, and Ueyimlds at Sliell Monnd, nsin<; a eou|ile ot" tlat- 
boats. C'ritti-nden's divisions then mo\ ed down the valle\ 
and ci'ossed at Jiattie ("reek and Shell Monnd. leaving:- lla/.en, 
Wau'ner. AVilder and Mintv on the north >ide. 

The ditHeidties of tin- campaiu'n wei-e noi emleil with 
the iiassan'c of the ri\er. Uaecoon Mountain and then 
Lookout loomed u[t across the })atli of McCook and Thomas, 
Lotdvout risinu to the heiii'ht of 2,40(> feet, with steep slopes 
surniountt'd l)y perpendicular cliffs, the <)nly practicable roads 
beinu" at -bdinson's C'ro()k and WinstoiTs. one twentv-six 
miles and the other forty-two miles t'rom ('liattaiiooi:-a. The 
necessity for trausportinu" supplies and 
ammunition in wagons made loiiij: trains, 
and iiiereased the labors of tlu- troops. 
I >a\ i>, leadiuii' in MeC'ook's corjts, reat'he<l 
the i>ass at Winston's on tlie 2d of Se]i- 
temher. Neii"ley, at the lieail of Th(>ma>" 
c(U-ps, I'eached Stevens" (ia[t on the Stii. 
Crittenden moved from Shell .Mound on 
the otli. reconntiitered at the north end 
of Lookout on the Tth. on the IMh dis- 
covered that Ijraii'ii" had exaiuated and at 
once marched to Chattanooija. It was 

belic^'xed that JJrau'ii' was ret ri'atiuL:". ami ("littemlen was 
ordered to jiursue. On the lOth it w as(lisco\ ered that the 
enemy had retired by the Latayette road, and Crittenden 
was ordered to halt at Kiniiu-old and send a reconnoisanci' to 
Lee and (ioi'dons .Mill. It was ascertained definitely on the 
lull that l>rau-«i- was in tin,' \i(,'initv of I.afavette with his 




M \.i. (.1 N. .1. 1. U i 



8o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




main body, and orders were sent for McCook to move at 
once to Stevens' Gap, and for Crittenden to concentrate at 
Lee and Gordon's ^lill and open commnnication with 
Tliomas. iSTegley was neai- Dni^ Ga[) on the evening of the 
10th and Baird joined him on the morning of the 11th. 
when they discovered tlie enemy approaching in vastly 
superior forces, and fell back to Stevens' Gaj). 

Bragg had moved out of CUiattanooga to place his army 
across Kosecrans" line of advance, ho^jing to strike and crush 
tlie several corps m detail. He had 
ordered his subordinates to attack 
jS"egley on the 10th, but tliey failed to 
execute the order, wliich was renewed 
for tlie next day. On the next day, 
when Xegley and Baird retreated, more 
than twenty-five thousand infantry were 
advancing upon them, but they managed 
to escape without the loss of a gun or 
wagon. 

Foiled in his first attempt, Bragg 
then sent l*olk"s and Walker's corps to attack Crittenden at 
Lee and Gordon's. Polk hesitated and called for reinforce- 
ments, and was again ordered to attack on the 13th, and 
promised Buckner's cor[)S. General Bragg went to the front 
on the 18th, found no attack had been made, and that Crit- 
tenden's corps held a strong position. He claims to have 
been disa[)pointed by the tardiness of his subordinates, but 
tacitly approved their course by not attacking after he was 
present in person. He took five days more tor preparation, 
tlie delay giving him a reinforcement of Longstreet's corps 
from Virginia, but in the meantime the three corps of the 
Army of the Cumberland, separated beyond supporting 
distance in crossing the niDuntains, liad reunited. On that 
date Bragg issued his order for battle, and on the 18th his 
army executed tlie initial movements that brought on the 



l-"i;r.i>. N Ar( k, 11. 




tiKuKiiE \V. l{ATt>, A (ISD.'l). 



CA'OSS/.V(; Till'. MorxiAixs. 



8i 



coiitlict. <>iir ai-eoiiiit ot' tlic l»;ittle is i-i'sci'\ nl lor :i si'iiaruto 
t'liaptiT. and we coiiclutK' this (nu- with a I'lilkT account of 
our own niovenu'iits. 

The 12otli Oliio marched from Ilillsboi-o with the com- 
mand (llarker's l)rii;a(le of Wood's division) on Siiii(hi\- 
morniiiii-, August Ki. At the foot of the moimtiiins near 
Pelham, arms were -stacked, and otHci-rs and men lined thi- 
road, or what passed for a road, from the hase to thi- summit, 
eaeh re»;'iment armed with rojies and assii:-ned a certain sjiace 
to keep eleai". As a wagon, gun or caisson came up. the 
men attached a rope ami su[>}>lemented 
the efi'orts of the animals to keej) the 
wheels turning. Men, liorses and mules 
serambled over the rough sui'faee, tugging 
with might and nuiin, until tlie Ixu'der of 
the next beat was passed, when a new set 
to(»k cjiarge and the first set returned to 
tlieir starting i>oint. Soldiei's will get 
amusement out of almost any situation, 
ami thev made light of that liaiMJ work 
for a tew Innirs. After that they began 
to realize that it requires a great many wagons to carrv 
twenty days" rations for nien and aninnils, in addition to 
ammunition, medical su[i[ilit's and other things retpiii-etl b\- 
an army. That tng of war eontinued from Sinnhiy evening 
until Tuesday morning, the men working turn al»out dav 
and night. The bands fuiMiished tine music. TiU'ches were 
lit at night, and the scene must have been full of interest tor 
civilian s[»eetators, if there were any. 

The work was prosecuted without a moment's inter- 
mission until the last wheel was on top of the mountain. 
General Wood and the brigade commanders were along the 
line, and certainl}- did not sleep for two nigiits. Their pres- 
ence insured the presence of all other otiicers and had its 
effect u}>on the men, who naturally thought that the General 




c. .1.. i;i.i 1,. IN, 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



would iu)t work his troops at that gait unless there was 
urgent necessity. The reason for the extraordinary exertion 
was an Girder from the commanding general to be at Ther- 
man m the Sequatchie A^alley on Wednesday, the 19th. 
When the train was all up the troops were permitted to rest 
for a few hours and then marched to Ti'ac}' City, arriving at 
dusk and going into l)ivouac for the night. At 3 o'clock next 
morning the march was resumed, and Harker's brigade 
arrived at Therman about 10 p. m., linding it much easier to 
descend the mountain after dark than it 
was to climb u}» in the daylight. The 
march on that day was twenty-eight 
miles, mountaineer's measurement, and 
many of the boys thought it was surely 
forty. Xext day General Wood issued a 
congratulator}^ order, tiumking officers 
and men for cheerful obedience to orders 
and the patient, persistent laltoi-, which 
brought the command over the moun- 
tains by an obscure and difficult road 
within the time set by General Rosecrans. It was some 
satisfaction to be thus assured that our hard work was 
appreciated. 

On Thursday, tlie 20th, a regular camp was laid out, in 
which the brigade remained until September 1. On the 
mcn-ning atter our arrival at Therman, Colonel Opdycke 
directed one of the lieutenants to take some men with 
blankets to one of the numerous peach orchards in the 
vicinity and bring in }>eaches to sup[tly the regiment. The 
orderly sergeants werc.jrequested to send a num or two from 
each c»»mitany. In addition to the regular detail, many 
others caught w\\ a bhiidvct and fell in. The lieutenant 
being inexperienced in supplying [teaches for a regiment, 
could not conscientiously object, not knowing how many 
peaches a blanket would hold or a soldier would carry. The 




Ma,i. Gkn. Steedmax. 



/•///•; AM/. /.\'. 7j:.\.\ 



«3 



result was that " iK-aclios toi- the ri'i:iiiK'iit "' were hroiiM-ht in, 
tlie suj)|ilv lastiiiii" l<>i" ten days. 

Oil till' lilst lilt' 8r<l Ki'iitinky w flit tow anls .hisjuT to 
rojiair tlic I'oail. < hi the 2:iiicl tlicrr was a talso alai'iii, aii<l 
We iii(i\i'tl iiiit, rxiK'ctini^ to iiioet the eiit'iiiy. FailiiiL:- to 
tiiul liiiii, rrtiinu'ti and had a briifade drill, and we drill<'(l 
cath day thcfi'atti'r diiriiiti- tlir month. < )ii tin- I'lith llniry 
Jiaki'i", of C\ ilird in the rciiinu'iital hospital, and was iniriftl 
on tlu' oOth with tho honors of war. His »ri"a\L' is on toji id" 
tin.' woodfd knoll o\i'rlookiiiii" tlir faiii|i u'roiiiid. ()iliir 
deaths in August wtTe : (iraiivilU" Tiifker. ol' V.. at Miir- 
freosbt)ro, Imrird in (JraNc 477, Section X. Stone liixt-r 
Cemetery; Frank Miller, of (t, at C'nmherland. Md.. interred 
at Antietam, Md., and lli'iiry Thiel.'. of |[. :it Xashvill.'. 
buried in (ira\e otio. Section :'.. 

The followinii: were dischar^<;\'d on siirn-eoiTs certificate 
of disability; Simon S. Coy, of A ; Kras- 
tiis Brainard and Klbert R. Iligbee, of C; 
John Jones, 'i'liomas (Jilleii and Marcus 
B. Clark, ^A' 1 >. (Jilleii recovered his 
health ami re-enlisted in I >, dnnnary <!, 
1804. 

Ill this month we bcuaii to lose men 
I'rom onr rolls by a lu-w process, transl'er 
of' invalids to the N'eteran Jieserve Corps, 
the li>t of transfers for the month iiiclud- 
inu' daeob S. l)rnn, o\' A ; Bert Ilolloway, 
of !■] ; Matthew Diilybon, of" F: .loliii lliinkler and Ileiirv 
Sehelhass, of (i. 

Ilarker's Ijriu'ade marched on September 1, t"ollo\vinif- 
BuelTs brigade, and campe<l at niiiht near dasper. On the 
morning of the -ird we marched to the river and crossed at 
Sliellmoiind, using two small tiatboats, the last load crossiii<r 
at 5* 1'. M. No move on tlie 4th: waiting t"or the wa^cM 
trains, which crossed on the bridgi' at Bridgeport. Maiiv 




MA.i.<tK.N.,I. A.<; Ai'.Kin.n 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



of the men visited the cave. On the 5th the command 
advanced nine miles toward Chattanooga, Barker's brigade 
in advance and the 3rd Kentucky leading-. Palmer's division 
followed Wood's. On the GthWood marched to Wauhatchie, 
the Third Brigade still in advance. The skirmisli line was 
made up of details from the regiments, our Companies A, 
F and D among the numl)er, and commanded by Lieutenant 
■Colonel Bullitt, of the Tliird Kentucky. After dark the 
command fell back three miles. The movements of the day 

were in plain view of the enemy on 
Lookout Mountain, whose signal 
flags were seen by us, probably 
rei)orting our numbers and progress. 
On tliis date Joseph H. Sperry, of 
F, died in the regimental ambulance. 
His remains now lie in Grave 891), 
Section L, Chattanooga. 

On the 7th Harker's brigade 
made a reconnoisance to the north- 
ern end of Lookout Mountain. The 
skirmishers met those of the enemy 
not far from our cam}), and drove 
them back rapidly. The country was densely wooded and 
rather dithcult to march over in line, but the comuiand kept 
well up to the skirmish line, all advancing until the enemy's 
main line was in plain view and their artillery opened, when, 
the purpose of the movement being accomplished, the lines 
were retired out of range, and at G v. m. the brigade marched 
back to the cam[». 

On the 8th ILirker issued a congratulatory order, in 
which Companies B, D and E of the 125th Ohio, and B, F 
andK of the 8rd Kentucky, constituting the skirmish line on 
the 7th, were specially praised for etiicient work. The 
wagons came up to camp, and rations of ilour and cornmeal, 
ground at a mill in the vicinity of cam[i, were issued. At 




LlHl'T. Nvm -M I'llll.MI' 



LI.E AXJ) (iORDOX'S Mill 



!t A. M. ini the '.itli it \\a> Icaniftl thai ( 'li;ittaii<M»ir;i Imd Ik-l-ii 
evaniatctl. Wnnd's (li\i>i.iii niart-ln'il nt oiiro, Biirirs hrii;"- 
luU' ill a(l\ aiicc. ami i'litri'cd ( "liattaiin.iu-a lu'luri- numi. ( )ii 
the imli Ilai'kfr"> liriii":t'lt' iiiairln-d t.ii miles t<'\var<l Hiiiii'- 
ij:«)ld, ci'issiiiii- Mission l{i<li:\' :it Kossvillo, and vaniiK'(l l»y a 
lai'uT jii»tafo tii'ld. Tin.' hoys duiT iin)>t td" the rrop inside cd" 
ti-n minnto. (hi the llih llarker <<)iiiitfniiaii-lM'<l to tin- 
I'oatl Icadiiii;" to Lot- ami (Jordon's Mill, and advanced on it, 
eomiiiu' ill eoiitact with the eiieiiiy's rear u^nanl within a mile 
or two after t iirniiiii" >oiii h. 'I'he ailvam-e wa> foisted and 
shai'i' ^kirmi>hinn' ensued, t he enemy laHiiiL:' I'aek t'rum one 
position to aiiotlu'r, and aiioiit dark retired aeross the Chieka- 
nniuua. llarker halted at the mill. Tlu' enemy prohahly 
retanletl oin' mareh to cover the movement of trains. 
Jieforc arri\iiiii- at the mill, the li!.'»ili wa-^ detaeheil and left 
in a |iositi<»n to co\er intersi-ctinu' 
roads until after the rest of the hriii'- 
ade arrived at the mill, when \ve 
wont forward and ri'Joined after 
dark. ()n the li^th foiu' com|ianies. 
oiir C'om|>aiiy II and one from each |^ 
roii'inieiif . uiidiT MaJMi- llrown, of t he \ 
(loth ( )hio, eros>».'d the Chieamailiia 
and advaiR'tMl on the Lafayette road 
to li-arn w liet her the ('iiemy remained 
in the vicinity. A cavalry picket 
]iost was found vvithin two miles 
and the jiickets weri' driven into 
their camp, wheri- the enemy tornieij a line. di>mounted and 
ojiened with artilK-ry, cheekiuii" the fiirtln'r advaiiei- of 
Brown's skirmislii-rs. When the tiriuii" hcifan at tin' pieket 
line llarkcr crossed with the hri<;-ade, and comiiiLr ii]i fo|-med 
line in rear ot the skirmishers and advaiieed upon the camp. 
The ('iiemy then retired in haste and disappi-aiH-d, and we 
returned to our own camp at ;] i". .M. Un the loth, the dati- 




I.IKITKNANT .M.llKKT II.M:NK>, K. 



86 



OPD \ CKE TIGERS, 



on which Tolk was to attack, tlie 125th was on ])icket near 
Crawfisli, Companies A, C and H on ontposts and tlie 4th 
U. S. Cavairy on our right. On tlie 14tli the 64th and l-25th 
Oliio made a reconnoisance on the Lafayette road, and 
bi\'Ouacked at night aljout two miles from camp, returning 
^^,^ I early on the 14tli. In the afternoon of 
the 14th the brigade made a reconnoi- 
^ sauce to the front at the same time with 
siuiihir movements on roads in front of 
Van Cleve's division to our right. Our 
Companies B, C and E did the skirmish- 
ing. A ritle trench was constructed 
ah)ng the stream, extending souie dis- 
tance aho\e and l)elow the mill, on which 
the 125tli did its share of work on the 
15th and Kith. All quiet on our front 
on the ITtli. Artiller_y tiring heard to oui' right. Twenty 
I'ounds of ammunition issued in achlition to forty already in 
the l)oxes, was tlie only intimation given of the ini}teiiding 
battle. 




(.i.N. W . 11. l.vn 



8g©^*Q^SrS^^HiM 



(■iiAi"n:u \ii. 



r.ATTM-: (iK CHICK AM \l<iA. 






■j^_ 



(>ii tlic t'Vvniiii:' (if Scptciiilici' 17. lMi:'i. tl.c lliicf cdi-jis 
(>\ tlic .\nii_v of tlie' ("miilicrl:ui(l. Wn tin- lirst time >iiir(' tlif 
cjiiiiiiaiii'ii oiK'iicd, Wi'Vr w itliiii sii[i|Hiitiiiu' <li>t;iiic(' «>f i-;irli 
other. 'I'lic riiilit rrstcd at Stcxciis" (Jap, and the lini.' 
extended down tlie N'aliev on the west side of the ("hieka- 
inanu'a to J^ee :ind ( JMi'ihms 
Mill, where J}ueir> and llar- 
ker's hriii-ades ol Wood"- 
division ii'iianled the I'oad 
from Latiiyette to Chatta- 
liooii'ii. Roseerans" t'oicc 
south of t he Teiincsx'e. in- 
C'hidini;- tliree hriu-a(h-s of 
the Jieserve Corps then at 
Kossville ( iap. and ea\:dry. 
^vus aliont sixty thousand. 
Waii'iiers hriu'ade of \\'ood"> 
di\ision h(dd ( 'hattain xii^a. 
iind I 'osts hriuade of 1 )a\ i>" 
division i;-uar(h'(l the trains 
and Were not eiiiiau'eth A 
fair estiuuite of <uiriforees 
engaged is ahout 1ifty-t\\i' 
thcnisand. (ieneral Uragg 

had l)oen hea\ily rt-inforciMh F)Uekner"> corps, a |>art of 
Longstrcot's corps from X'ii'ginia. antl ahtuit ten thousand 
men from dcdinstoiis ai'mv in Mississipj»i. 'piiiicd hini. mak- 
ing liis aggregate according to tlie nu>st reUahle data <d>tain- 
uhle, o\er eighty thonsaml. Braggs right was near Lee and 
Gordon's, and his left near Lafayette. Tin' advame di\i>ion 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



of Loiigstreet's corps then coining forward from the raih-oad 
was at Ringgold, directly east from Lee and Gordon's. 
Bragg's [mr[iose was to cross at the bridges and fords below 
Lee and Gordon's, then wheel to the left, gaining the road 
to Chattanooga, attack onr left at the mill, drive it back on 
the center, and if possible to drive the whole np the valley 
and away from Chattanooga. By that movement Bragg 
would fight with his back to Chattanooga and prevent Rose- 
crans from going there, unless the latter 
should be able to win a very decisive vic- 
tory with an inferior force. 

Bragg's order required Longtroet's 
corps (Hood commanding) to cross at or 
near Reed's bridge. Walker's corps at 
Alexander's bridge, ])uckner's corps at 
Thedford's ford, all to turn to the left 
and attack and press Crittenden up the 
stream from Lee and Gordon's Mill. 
Polk's corps was to press to the front of 
Lee and Gordon's, and if unable to cross there to bear to the 
right and cross at Dalton's or Thedford's and join in the 
attack. Hill's corps was to press forward above Lee and 
Gordon's and ascertain if reinforcements were going to Crit- 
tenden, in which case he was to attack them in flank. 

Tlie Confederates were in motion early on the 18th. At 
noon Bushrod Johnson's division reached Pea Vine Creek, 
three miles east of Reed's bridge, and met Minty's brigade 
of cavali'v. The latter resisted stnbborid3\ Johnson was 
com[tellcd to tiglit his way forwai'd, and did not efi'ect a 
crossino; until late in the afternoon. 

The advance of Polk's corps felt our lines at Lee and 
Gordon's at noon, his skirmisiicrs nudging it hot lor our 
Compiinies A and 11 and comrades from other regiments 
picketing across the river, bnt our lines were held. 125th 
men [>rol)abIy fired the first shot by our infantry in tiie 




Li KUT. -( ; KN. I.i INGSTRKICT. 



CllICKAM.irGA — FIRST IKIY 



89 



battle. Liddi'lTs (li\i>i()ii of Walker'^ i<>r|i> rciiclicd Alrx- 
iiiidors liritlu't' in tlu- at'tfriKnxi. and im-t Wildcr's lirii;-adr nl' 
iiioiiiitfil iiitaiit ry. Waltliall's l>rlti-adt' attarkcd Wilder and 
toi'ced lilni !>aik. lint WiliU-rs men ilestrnyed the liridi^e 
before lea\ inu' it. and l/iddell's troops were t'oreed to seek a 
ford. They erossfd at Uyranis. a lord a mih' Ixdow ;nid fol- 
lowed Hood, who \va> then pre^ini:' Miiity and Wilder 










TaKKN KKOM •• NaIIiiNAI. Mll.lTAKY I'AHK," ItY rKKMISSIOS nF TIIE 
AITimi:. (iKN. II. V. IlnVNToX. 



toward- Lee ami (Mirdon">. W'iMer retireil to the erest east 

of \'iiiiarirs. w jier»' he reinain^'(l durinir the niu'i't witli II I 

in close eontaet. If <iem.'ral Bragu' could ha\e dropped his 
divisions into position on oiir side of the ( 'hiid<.aiMaii«ji;a hy 
noon of that dav our ease would have lu'eii hopeless; but 
tlii'v wi'i'e oblio-e<l to march over had roads and oxei'coine 



■90 



OPD \ 'CKE TIGERS, 




resistance from our inounted troops, Avhicli niatle it impos- 
sible to attack in foi'ce on that day. 

By tlic morning of the 19th movements on our side 
frustrated Brag'g's plan of Ijattle. Ci'ittendeu moved A"an 
Oleve's and Palmer's divisions from their position on the 
right of Wood to the left, and formed along the Lafayette 
road from the mill northward. Thomas and McCook moved 
by the left ilank, their march obstructed by darkness and 
wao'on trains, the head of the column reaching Kelly's 
about daylight. Jjrannan's division mox'ed north on the 
Lafayette road to McDonald's, where it tui-ned east and 
advanced towards Jay's Mill. liaird 
formed at Kelly's. Reynolds was coming 
u}i after l>air(l. Xegley's division had 
been halted opposite (ilass' ^Ldl to watch 
Breckinridge. The three divisions of 
McC'ook's eoi'jts were following Thomas' 
troo[is as fast as the obstructed condition 
of the road permitted. Biagg's plan of 
tighting, witli his back to Chattanooga 
and driving liosecrans up the valley, was 
•'^""^ •''''"■ ■'■ no longer practicable. 

As Bi'aniuni moved eastward from jNU'Donalil's, l)ragg's 
forces were forming line to attack at Lee and Gordon's. His 
left rested near J)altoii for(b the lines extending noi'thward. 
facing west. ILiod's two divisions, under Bushi'od Johnson 
and E. M. Law, constituted the right wing, and Buckner's 
two di\-isions, under A. 1'. Stewart and William I'reston. the 
left wing:. C'heatham's division of tix'e briy-ades was in 
resei've l)ehind the left wing. Walker's corps, two (li\'isi()ns, 
under Liddell and (Jisi. wei'c in I'car of the right wing and 
moving uj» to go into position. Foi'rest's ea\"ali'y had been 
sent to Jay's Mill to watch Gordon Granger's force and guard 
the right tlank. Breckinridge and Gleburne, of Uill's cor})S, 
and nindman, of I'olk's corps, had not ci'ossed, and ^McTjaw, 



<-. 



( •///( •/•;. I.\/.U GA—F/RSr />. / ) '. 



<)t" L()iiL:>t lee-ts i-()i[i-. did imt arrivf nntil ilir iiioni- 
inu" tit' the liOtli. Till' an-;iy i>ii|K>siti' ("rittfudcn. Iicutn cr, 
■\v;is iii'iri' than siitliciciit to crush the hittfi- il' Uraiiu' had 
l)(.'('n [H'rinitti'd t<> carrv out liis intended wheelini:- nii>venient 
towards the mill. IJiit liet'ore he lieu'an to nioxe, at 7:-'»0 a. m. 
IJi'annan (.'neount ei'cd Fori'ot. and oi>ened the liatlle n\rr 
two miles to r>iaii"i:"s riiiht. Croxton's and \'an I )i'r\ (■••r's 
briu'ades on the tVoiit line. Conni'lTs hriii-ade ."•upjiort ini:'. :ill 
pushed resolutely forward. l*'orrest (|uiekly diseo\-ere<l his 
inaliility to hold and I'alh'd t'oi' infantry. \\'iUon"s lu'iiiatle 
came to him from Alexamlei's hridu'e, t'ollowed soon hy Mc- 
tof's l»rii»"ade. Meantime. IJaird moved eastward. ()neof his 
brigades (Kinii""s) relieved Croxton on the front line, another 
(Seriimer's) pressed forward on the riu'ht. ami t he whole were 
fiercely eiiu'ai;ed with the Contcdei-ate infantry. LithieH's 
division was uext -ent to the riiilit hy Urauu'. formed north 
of AN'infrey".-. moxcd f(U'wai-d on IJairdV 
riii'iit tiank. and droxn- ihe hit li-r. capt ur- 
\\\<^ his ii'uns. hut \\a- in turn taken in 
fiank l»y Croxton and \'an I)er\(H'r turn- 
inn* njitiii them from the north, and in 
turn driven, ("hcatham loHdwcd Liddell 
and foi'ined with his rii;'lit near W'inlrey's. 
ami lUi advancinu" his riu'ht tii">r encoun- 
tered and dro\'e Stark weat her on Uaii'ds 
left ami then met Kichard W. Jidinson's 
di\isi(m of .Mc('ook"s corps, while his letl 
encountercil I'ahueiV division, both divisions havinu* hurried 
forward. The hattle line was leiiu'thcninu' :ind exteudini;" 
southward. The several divisions on either -ide arrivinij 
suceessi\i'ly extcndc(l the lines, and each in turn found the 
fiaid< of the oppo>ini:' I'orce ami u'ained temporary suc«'ess, 
only to he in turn Hankeil and terrii)ly }>unishi'il. iJrau'i:- was 
fighting with his /■//«■, towards Chattanooga, and his opponent 
in full possession ot' the roatls leading tlien-. 




I.IK( T. TfKN. STKVV.vnT. 



OPD YCKE TIGERS. 




About 1 1*. .M. lioyuolds" (li\isioii came up and went into 
action, Turcliin's briii'ade on Palmer's left, King's brigade on 
liis right. Stewart's division of the enemy came up about 
the same time, on CMieatham's left, and advancing encoun- 
tered two brigades of Van Cleve's division east of Brother- 
ton's. Meantime, Davis' division had turned east from 
Widow Glenn's, crossed the road at Viniard's, Barnes' brig- 
ade of X'AU Cleve forming on his right and Wilder on his 
left, and the whole advancing encoun- 
tered Bushi'od Johnson's division and 
Trigg's brigade of Pi-eston's division, and 
became hotly engaged. By noon the 
tight on our extreme left subsided, both 
sides retiring, Brannan and Baird to the 
vicinity of the Cliattanooga road. Baird 
advanced again later, while Brannan 
went to another ]>art of the field. 

About the middle of the afternoon 
' '" "'"''" ' "'" JJavis was forced back to the west side of 
the road atA'iniard's and \"an Cleve at Brotherton's, both 
making a stand near the road, l)ut\ an Cleve Ijeing flanked 
and again driven, the Confederates gained and crossed the 
road. Col. Hans C. Heg, commanding one of Davis' brig- 
ades, was killed at that time. It seems there was an inter- 
val hetween \'an Cleve's right and Davis' left, which enabled 
the enemy to turn the fiank of both. The Union cause was 
then in exti'enie peril on that ])art of the line, hut, fortu- 
nately, help was at liand. Negley's division had faced 
Breckinridge at Glass' Mill from morning until afternoon. 
Early in the morning Helm's brigade crossed the stream, and 
was stojtped by dohn Beatt\^'s brigade of Negley's division^ 
the fight soon subsiding into an artillery duel. While 
Breckinridge remained there, threatening to turn our right, 
Negley was comi)elled to stay also, but at last Breckinridge 
was called away and Negley then hastened forward, arriving 



CHICK. \.M. in;. \ - riRsr n.w 



93 



near suiisot, and moved turwanl iiiti) tlir lifM vat-atfil liy 
\'aii CleVL'. Meaiitiuu' llraimaii had ln-cii sent tVoin tlic left, 
jiiid Wood tVoiii Leo and (iordon's, to aid in if>toi'inii' the 
Ijroken line. Wood sent Huell's hriuadr into aetion with 
Daxis, where it snstained heavy losses, and sent Ilarker's 
brigrade northward astridi- the road, where the latter rendere(l 
important service. 

Slieridan's division of McCook's corps was the ia-^t to 
arrivi' on the field. reacliiii<;- I.ee and (;ordon"> a- Wood was 
ieavini:-. Slu'ridan lollowe<l Wood. |'>radley"s hri^'ade j^cfiiiij 
in on Unelfs rii^ht. Thi- condiined etl'orts o|' I>rannan, 
Neufley, Wood and havis forced the Confederates haek 
aii'ain. and just hefore sunset the tiuht 
stoi»[»ed with the Tiiion forces in full [los- 
session ot the road. Baird ami dohnson 
held an atlvaiUH'd position ami wcif 
ordered to retire to the \iciinty <d"Kelly">. 
Just as tiiey were in the act of moxini:-. 
Ckdturne's division comini:' forward Imm 
days Mill, attacked, ("hi-atham Joinini:'. ; Vi 
and the l)attle was renewed in that ([iiar- 
ter, raii'inu" for another hour, when it was 
ended for the day l.y Uair.l and dohnson i>"i^ w.:.,,.. a. 

iH'tirinii' out of raiiu'e. Kacli side lost a itriirade com- 
mamler in that tinal struu^u-K', Col. \\ \\ Baldwin, of 
dohnsons di\-i>ion, on our side, and Briu"-- Ceii. I'ri'ston 
Smith, (d" Cheatham's division of the enemy, wei-e kilh-d. 
Nearly every brigade in our army liad l)een in action, most ot" 
tliem umU'i" tire mucli ioniicr ami suffered ^-renter ios.si's than 
our own. We were ta\"ored hy fortune in not heincf sent in 
until late in the day, and also in the ojiportuinty to (ht i^ood 
effective work with ccnuparatively lii,dit iossi-s. \ ww Cleve 
had been assailed by Clayton's l)rigade in front, wliile P^ui- 
ton's brio:ade and two reu'iments of Greuftr's bri<j:a(k', \\y a 
jiartial wlieel to the rii^ht, crossing the Lafayette road, <'ame 




94 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



u[H)ii liis riii'lit riaiik. When lie retreated the enemy's force 
hehl tlieir }»()sition across the road. By Ilarker's order the 
125th (Jhio deployed to the rii;'ht of the road near A'iniard's, 
with the t!4th Ohio on our right, leavinu' the (J5th Ohio and 
ord Kentucky for a second line. When tlie enemy was 
encountered tlie (ioth Ohio and ord Kentucky were also 
deployed to tlu^ left of tlie 125th. Before advancing many 
rods the 125th, on emerging from a tliieket into more open 
timhei", found itself in close contact with a Confederate regi- 
ment, and \-olleys wei'e exchanged on the instant, followed 
by a sharp fusilade as tlie men reloaded. The enemj^ how- 
evei' ga\-c way at once, their men running otf in confusion, 
Ijut leaving a few })risonei-s. Quite a nundjer of them 
drop[)ed tlieir guns and ran through our line, going to our 
rear without escort. About the same time we heard volleys 
fired l)oth to our i-ight and left, indicating that all of Harker's 
regiments had come into action. By the 
iirst voile}' Orderly Sergeant Moi'ris, of 
Company A, was killed; William Meek, 
of Compaii}' F, was mortally wounded, 
and ten others were disabled. Our volley 
had been delivered an instant in advance 
of that of the enemy, howe\er, and his 
loss in killed and wounded far exceeded 
that (»f the 125th, as we discovered in 
advancing over the ground they had 
occupied. Harker's line continued to 
advance for half a mile or so after the enemy was iirst 
encountered, our own regiment moving by left flank to close 
on 3rd Kentucky, then moving in line northward. The 
enemy, seen through o})enings, were moving in some disor- 
der across our front eastward, but loading and flring as they 
ran. At times there was also flring upon the line from our 
right and right rear, but no enemy was visible to us in that 
direction. In that advance, as we now know from the otflcial 




Will. I AM A. Mi;i'.l<, K. 



( UK K. \.\IA L '6'. \—J'IRSr DA Y 



95 



I'epDi-ts. II;irkri'"s Itri^-adf <"iiiu' ii|n>ii tin- think ami I'car «>t 
Fulton's and ('la\ ton's liriua<l«'> ami tll-iifi-scil tlioni, tlms 
reeovcrinii" tlie line ol" the Latavrttc i'oa<l. 

Tiu' vital iin|ioi'tanci' ot' the inoN'tMiicnt \\a^ not >ii>- 
pectod at tlic time. ( "onnnaniliiiij ()tti<'ors conltl only judir'' 
of till' i»roi:ress of oxn-nts in tlio>i' tliifk«'t> Iiy tlif >oinnl ot 
battk', and could liaxc seen 
about as niuidi as tlu'V did 
if the liattlc had hci-n in the 
iiiu-httiinc. 

'IMic rufuiy's i-f«;iinL'nts 
c'Ucounti'i\'<l hy 1 1 arker's 
l^riu^adi', naUKMl in tlu'ir 
oi'dor from left to rii;lit, woro 
tho lOth and 41st Tcnui's- 
see, of Gregi!;'s hri^-adc ; tin- 
ITth. :i:',r.l, i^otli an.l 44tli 
TtMUK'ssoo iX'ii,iiuonts «d' Ful- 
toiTs brii;:adi', and tlir istli, 
ofith and-)Stli Alahanni \\'\s.- 
iuK'iits of Clayton's hrinadc. 
Tho com ni a ndt'is of the 
10th and 41st Tennesson 
appear not to haxc made 
ofKcial I'eports (»t" the en- 
ii;ageinent, and tho l)i"i<i"ade eomniander. ('ol. ('yrus A. 
tSugii', oame into eommand of the l»ri<;'ade at ahoiit .') 
o'oloek in the eNcnini;;, after (toneral (ireu'ii* had heen <lis- 
ublod Ijy ii Wound, and Itosriiis jiis report from that point, 
moroly statiuii- that the hriu-ade at that time lia<l talit-n haek. 
It is [)rohal>lo, liowevor, that it was thesi' two rt-uiimiit.- that 
wore tirst eneoiintorod hy tho l:i.")th an<l »i4tii (Hiio. (ionorai 
(TroiTi,^ toll in front of tho <i4th Ohio. From the report of 
Col. dohn S. Fulton, eommandinu' the enemv's hi-i«rade ne.xt 




y \\\. M. V. p.. Kin.. 1^ 



9 6 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

to tlie rig'lit, we learn sometliing about those two reii-inients 
of Gregg's brigade, as well as about his own command : 

Colonel Fulton said : " Lieutenant Colonel Tillman, of 
the 4lst Tennessee, Gregg's brigade, rode up to me at this 
time stating that the enemy was moving down the road to 
ni}' left and would soon be in my rear. Doubting the report, 
I suggested that our lines were connected on our left, and 
that a flank or rear movement could not, therefore, be made 
by the enemy. I, liowevei", found that Init two i-egiments of 
Gregg's brigade had moved up with my line, aud that they 




Lke and G(ii:i)|)N's Mii.i,. 



had retirech Lieutenant Colonel Tiihiuiu had then lost sight 
of his regiment, but in company with him and Lieutenant 
Colonel Floyd I started to the road to satisfy inyself as to 
the correctness of the report. I liad gone but a short dis- 
tance when I discovered a column of the enemy moving by 
the flank in the direction of the 17th Tennessee Eegiment, 
which rapidly gained its rear. I heard distinctly the com- 
mands " ILilt ; front I " and immediately their Are was pour- 
ing upon our flank and rear. llei'e a general stampede 
ensued, so sudden and unexpected was the attack, and we 



C I IK KA.MAL'GA —FIRST DA V. 



97 



fell back 200 yards in roar of the ("liattanooffa and Latay«tte 
road and rofornuMl. In tliis tlank nioNcnicnt nf the onomv, 
tlu' ITtli 'rrnn(,'ssee reginu'nt lost eleven utiici'i's, inclndini^ 
their *i:;allant Majoi' Davis, who was wnmidcd. and had alniiit 
sixty men taken prisoners." 

Lieut. ( 'ol. AVatt Floyd, eoniniandini;- the 17th 'rciinrs- 
see Intantrv, in his report says: 

" Immediately after the distdiarire of the first v(»lley 
tioni the enemy, I turned to look at tlu- fate of my reiriment. 
I >a\v that a nnndn'r ot" the men were niakini:- I heir way out 
in the only tlirection hy whi(di they could possihly eseajie, 
and L at onee saw that if 1 eould iiet hack to the lino at all 
the men who were left there would he 
prisoners before I eould reach them. All 
of my I'oii'iment that escaped mo\ cd by 
the ri«^ht Hank about two hundred yaids 
and then tiled to rear and came out at the 
right of the briirade. In ci-ossiiiii- the 
road as I tell back I was able to see the 
position and streuirth of the enemy, lie 
had come down the road l)y the tlank to 
a point about opposite the left com}(any 
of my regiment and then tiled left, and 
about two regiments had changed direc- 
tion when they commenced tiring. There were two regiments 
still in the road. It is jropor foi- me to state here, that imme- 
diately on my left, and running back to the road, the bushes 
were very thick, which accounts t'oi* the two regiments ot" 
(iregg's brigade retiring and the enemy slipping in there 
undiscovered by me oi' any of my otticers or men."" 

It was probably the tioth Ohio that ciicouiitereil the 
17th Tennessee. 

Ilarker, in his report of the mo\ement, said: "At this 
time the t!5th Ohio regiment was a little to the rear of tlie 
;^rd Kentuckv, with the \iew ot" makin>:- ust- o|" it as circum- 




1'i:k-i..n 
Hrinii.liiT Ciriii liil.t 



98 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



stances might re(j[uire. What was at tirst my front line, 
to wit, the 125th Olno and the 04th Ohio, were now some 
distance obliqnely to my right and front, and as from the 
denseness of the wood I could not have direct supervision 
over my entire line, I sent an order to Colonel Opdycke to 
take command of the G4th Ohio regiment in connection 
with his own regiment, and to clear his own front of the 
enemy, as he had previousl}' sent me word that a regiment 
of rebels was on his front, and I confined myself for the 
time being to the 3rd Kentucky and the 05th Ohio. Again 
a more furious attack was made upon the 
left of the 3rd Kentucky ; again the 
direction of the latter was changed, and 
the 65th Ohio formed n[>on its left. jM}' 
troops were now nearly on the same gen- 
eral front, making a broken curved line, 
with the conA'exity toward the eneni}-, 
with a short interval between the right of 
the 3rd Kentucky and the left of the 
125th Ohio regiment, and stretching 
partly across the main road and making 
an angle of about sixty degrees with it. 
In this position there was some of the most l)rilliant fighting 
it has l)een mj' good fortune to witness. Though its gran- 
deur surpasses description, its severity may be imagined when 
I state that every commanding officer of this line, excepting 
the Adjutant of the 3rd Kentucky, was dismounted by the 
enemy's musketr}-. Here the gallant Lieutenant Colonel 
Whitl)eck was most dangerously wounded while nobl}' coni- 
manding his regiment, and five officers of the line in the 
same regiment were stricken down ; while in the ranks a 
great maii}^ of the eidisted men fell while bravely fighting. 
Xever discouraged by their losses, they pressed forward most 
handsomel}', and entii'ely dispersed the foe in front and tak- 
ing 205 prisoners. I then sent word to Colonel Ojxlycke to 




Sl.MON r. lUl KNEU, 

Lieut. Gen. ('. s. A. 



Clin K. \M.\cc.i—in<sr /). i)\ 



99 



gain ilistaiirc tn llu- K't't and jnin nu-. This ^-allant <»llicfi- 
brouii'lit up liis iTuinu'iit to niL', closinu" tin- uap that had 
h e re tot'c )!•(.• nt-ci'ssarily cxisti'd. with Imt >liL:ht !(•-<. whih- he 
(lid ii'ood siT\ifc in iiunisliinu' tlic fni-niN.'" 




i\ i;i ^^^l im;. I-' jiihI A i Iv.Mi 



'Pile I'l'iiort ot" C'olono! nunhiji, (•(innnandini:- the :)rd 
Kentucky feiiinient, <h)es not attrinjit to ijivi' any (h-tails ot' 
the movement, heyond statiiiir that his rcniiiK'Ht louii-lit at 
evei'y point of the t-oinpass, chiinuinu- iVont t«)i\vard and t«) 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the rear under lire, and tliat he captured 113 prisoners, his 
loss being one killed and nine wounded. 

Colonel Mcllvain, eonnnanding the 64th Ohio, said : 
" My comniand Ijeing placed on the right in the front line, 
advanced into tlie woods; soon encountered a considerable 
body of the enemy, apparently somewhat detached from their 
main line. I immediately engaged them, and, after a brisk 
lire of nearly half an hour, the}^ lied in confusion, leaving in 
our hands about twenty prisoners." 

Tlie report of the 65th Ohio was 
made by Capt. Thomas Powell, who came 
to the command on Sunday, Lieutenant 
Colonel Whitbeck having been wounded 
on Saturday afternoon and Major Brown 
on Sunday. Captain Powell gives no 
details of the engagement on Saturday, 
but states that " we took about seventy 
prisoners, among them a major.'' That 
was probably Major Davis, of the 17th 
Tennessee. 

Colonel Opdycke says : " At 1 p. m. 
we were rapidly moved to the scene of conflict. Our attack 
was made with the 3rd Kentucky on our left and the 64th 
Ohio on our right. The enemy seemed somewhat surprised 
at our appearance, and after a sharp encounter, in which I 
lost the lirst sergeant of Company A, killed, and eleven men 
wounded, he disappeared from view, leaving nine prisoners, 
one an officer, in our hands. The growth of small timber 
was so dense we could see but a few rods in any direction. 
I then received word from Colonel Harker by an aide to 
assume command of the 64th Ohio, and with it and my own 
regiment to disperse any enemy we might lind. We were 
then on the right of the road u[»on which we came from 
Gordon's Mill. Firing upon us soon commenced upon our 
front, right and rear. 1 immediately ordered scouts and 




BrsHROD R. Johnson, 
Major Gt'ueral, C. S. A. 



ciiiL •/<. /.I/. / 1 'i;.\—rii<sr n.w 



skii'inislicrs out to ilcvcl<>ii our siirrouiidinus. 'I'licir (lc|i|i>\- 
iiifiil liatl linrdly (•()iiitiiciiccil wlicn I received (inler- to luiiiii- 
tilt' two reiiiiiieiit> out and join tlie ln'iu-ade, \\lii<-li was done 
without serious iiitiTiiiptittn." 

It is «|uiti' apiiai'dit tliat ueit lier ( 'oloiiel I laiker nor any 
(d" liis rc<i-inu'ntal coiii'inindiTs. at tin- date (d" their re|ioi'ts, 
suspecti'd that the lii'iu'adr had Keen tiu'htinii- within the 
enemy's lines, or the urtat inijiortanee of the sei-\ ice leii- 
defc<l. ]''idni liarkerV i-eiioii alone it would he douhttul 
which ot' his reiiinients came in contact with the 17th Ten- 
nessee and started the enemy on tlu-ir i'i'troii"radc movi'meiit, 
with tIic |»rohal»ility that it was the •I.">tli ()hio<U';5rd \\v\\- 
tu(d<y. The re|ioi't ot' ( 'olonel Floyd, of the 17th Tennessci', 
in which he says that he saw two of our rcii-imeiits still in t he 
road when he was retreatinu', indiea*^es that his \\a> the i-c:^i- 
ment the 125th first «-ame in contact with, 
hut none of the otliei' rcinu'ts sustain that 
\iew. and the preponderance o| the evi- 
dence i> 1 hat it was the (kUIi ( )iiio. 

Marker rejoined the di\i>ioii near 
\'iniard"s lud'ore sunset, and our line was 
tiien in front (d' a low hill on which two 
or more hatteries were planted. In tV(Uit 
was a eleared space of i-iu'lit (U' ten acres. 
across whitdi part ot" l>a\is" division hail 

. . , I . Ill 1 I'l:"' '•' "■ ^^"^ nn:vri:i:. 

retreated and the enemy had advanced. 

to he in tui'u repulsed and driven hack: all this occurring- 
^vdlih■ we wer*- nH)vini:' north towards llrof hertoii'> ami hack 
aii'ain. The iMU'my's Tnu' was in the woods heyoml the lield. 
A great many (h'ad and wounded mtui from hoth sides lay 
between the lines. Tlu' hatteries ceased tirinirat >unsct.and 
then for a time men from hoth hostile lines went over tlie 
fieUl, seeking fallen i-omi'ades. Ahout dark musket tiring 
was resumed and continued for sonu- minutes, the <'ause of 
whiidi no one seenietl to understand. It put an end to the 




I02 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

relief woi'k liowever. The iiig;lit was quite cold. I^To fires 
were permitted. Occasional outcries of wounded men lying 
between the lines made the situation most uncomfortable. 
At 2 A. M. AVood's divisit)n marched by the left flank on a 
road leading past the tanyard to a ridge a mile or more west 
of Urotherton's. There was a general readjustment of the 
lines during the night. 

CHICK AMAUGA — SECOND DAY. 



At daylight on Sunday, September 20, the several divis- 
ions of the Army of the Cumberland were in })osition as 

follows: Baii'd on the ex- 
treme left, northeast from 
Kelly's house ; Johnson on 
Baird's right; next Palmer, 
and tli(,'n Reynolds; those 
foui- di\isous forming a half 
circle al)Out Kelly's farm, 
east of the Chattanooga and 
Lafayette road. Farther to 
the right, extending south- 
ward along the same road, 
l)ut on the west side of it, 
were the divisions ot Bran- 
nan and Negley. Davis and 
Sheridan exter.ded the line 
from Xegley's right to the 
\icinity of Widow Glenn's. 
The cavali-y covered the 
ma.i. (;i;n. Til M A 1 w. ..i. i-'' crossings of the stream 

beyond our right Hank. Van Cleve and Wood constituted 
■a general reserve, and were posted about one mile west from 
Brotherton's, along the road that passes trom McFarlaud's 
Gap by way of Vidito's and Widow Glenn's to Crawfish 




( •///( A'. i.\/.U(;.i — s/-:coy/) da y. 



'03 



Sjiriiiu's. (ic'iirnil I'olk IkmI Iktii a.-siuiifd to fdiiimiiiKl 
Brati;g"s riglit wiiiu. coii-istiiiir of Furrest's fuvnli-y curps on 
the riii;lit of tho iiitantry, J>ri'c-kiMri(lu'(.''s divisicdi lu-xt to 
ForiH'st, (Mi'Imnio next, Walker's two divisions and Clicat- 
lianis di\ision eonstitntinu' a second or reserve line. Haird's 
K'tt was some distance ea>t of the Lafayette road, and it had 
been th'terniini'd at nii(hii_ii'ht that N'ei;"ley shfUiUl i^o to 
IJaird's h-ft. MeCook to (dosi- the uap nnnlt' hy Xeiifh'y's 
withih'awal hy nmvinu" lii> otht-r di\isions to tin- k-ft. At 
(hiyriii'lit one of Xegdeys hriuadt's, coni- 
nian(le<l hy Uriii'. (Jen. dohn Ik'atty, 
niiU'elied to the k'ft. Two of Xeii:lov"s 
hriu'ades retained their [losition until 
al)oiit 'd o"eh»ek, when Wood was ordered 
to advance with his two hriu'ades and 
r>arnes" hriy:ade of \'an Ck'Ve"s division 
and relie\e Xegley, who then at hist 
niai'ched to the left. 

The C'onfedei'ate attack was oich-red 
to hcM-ln at davliu-ht, the division on his r. c. hisi.man, 

Miijiir nfiKTtil. <'. S. A. 

extreme riiidit to move an'aiiist the ex- 

trenu' left of IJosi'crans" forces, ami the se\eral di\isions tVom 
theii' riii'ht to left to come snecessivejy into action, the jmr- 
[(ose hein«i" to u'ain tiie ( 'hat tanoou-a road and to I'xecnte in a 
^•eneral way llrau'u's original plan of attack, wherehy snccess 
woiihl leave the Confederates in jtosscssion of Chattanoou-a, 
The attaek did not hc^-in until ahout !• ti"clo(d<. u'ivini;- an 
opportunity to strengthen the lines ahout K»'lly"s hy con- 
strnctinu- li»i,-ht Itreastworks. When tlu' enemy did a<lvance, 
his line extended tar heyond Ihiird's hdt tiank. where it 
fouml dtdin Ueatty's hriii'ade stri'tidu'd (Uit \\\ a thin line and 
prom[ttly disposed of it : tlu'n by wheelinu" canu' down tin- 
road to the real* (d" Uaird, gi\inu- Thonnis a difKcult task to 
stay their [trouress, but by takinu' bi-iii"a<K's temporai'ily from 
i»ther jiarts of liis line and hnri'vinu' them to the lett the 



. 


*^\ 




\ 


>•» 9 




J 


w 




L_ 







I04 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



assault was defeated. One after another all the divisions of 
Bragg's right wing came into action and assaulted the four 
divisions in front of Kelly's, but failed to break the lines. 
Three of the Confederate brigade commanders fell in those 
assaults — Brigadier General Jlelni, Col. Peyton II. Colquitt 
and Brig. Gen. James Deshler. 

General Longtreet liaving arrived on the battlefield 
during the night, liad been assigned to command Bragg's left 
wing, and in the morning proceeded to 
adjust his lines, his arrangement for 
attack not being complete until after 10 
o'clock, at which time his divisions Avere 
})Osted from right to left as follows : Stew- 
art, B. R. Johnson, Hindman and Preston 
on the front line, with Law (commanding 
Hood's division) and Kershaw's and 
Humphrey's brigades of McLaw's divis- 
ion (Kershaw commanding) in rear of 
Johnson, those three divisions, command- 
ed by General Hood, constituting the 
main column of attack. Finding the attack by tlie right 
wing less successful than had been anticipated, Longstreet, in 
ordering his troops to advance, modified the oi'iginal plan so 
far as to direct Stewart to halt upon reaching the Lafayette 
road, and thus preserve connection with the right wing, the 
liead of column of tlie other divisions to incline to the right, 
thus reversing the direction first intended. At the moment 
when Longstreet's columns were advancing, about 11 a. m., 
the battle on Thomas" front was progressing furiously, and 
General Wood received from Rosecrans the famous, much- 
discussed order to close upon and support Reynolds, in 
response to which he promptly withdi-ew the three brigades 
under his command from the line, marching b)' the left 
fiank, passing in rear of Brannon to find Reynolds. The 
gap made by Wood's withdi-awal was immediately in front 




Iv M. Law, 
Major General, C. S. A. 



cnicK.\MAUGA—si-:co.\n day 



'05 



of Hood's stroiiii" foliiiiiii, and lln' lattrr iiiai-clifd tllI■oll^■ll it, 
strikinic- '••■«':>l<iiiii" "p :"i'l dri\ iiiu' oil' r>raiiiiaii"s riiilit . also 
one Itriii'adf ot' \:iii ('K'\i''s division tliat had Im-cm hroiii^lit 
forward to JJraniians n-ar, ami l>iudr> lMii::a<lt' ot" Wood's 
division, Bnell's iiiar«'li not liaviuii" Ix-M-n lapid cnonu'li to take 
his command out of the lim' (d" disaster. W. il. dohn^^on's 
division, on Hood's t'i'ont, inclined to the i-i^lit, crossed 
])yer"s titdd and hy noon n^achi'd the \icinity (d' \'idif<»'s. 
I)avis' dixision. on t he other siih' ot' the i^ap made liy Wood's 
\\ it hilrawal, was also iieces>arily involved in the di>aster. 
Attacked hy Hiiidnian in front and r)n>lirod d<dinson on his 
flank. haN'is fell l>a(d< npon Sheridan, whose two hrii^ades 
rushed I'orward oidy to he crushed, and to lind themstd\'es 
cut oil' from the main hody. They 
made their way out as lK->t they 
coidd to Kossville. IJriii-. (u'li.W . II. 
TiVtle. (d' Sheridan's division. wa> 
killed in the eti'ort to rally his hriLi- 
ade wlien they weic o\ crjiowercd. 

(ieiieral Wood has heeii criti- 
cised |'<U' the COUStl-UcI ion he phleed 

uiton the (U'der in question, hut hi> 
own ofHcers and men will alway> 
coutt'iid that the fault lay with the 
irrltir of an amhiiiiiotis order, and 
that Wood did riiiht in hasteniiiii" to 
the [loint where the uproai' ot' liattle, as well a^ the tenor «d' 
the (U'der, indicated that proniitt assistance was i-e(|uired. it 
is douhtful if the assault hy Loiiirstreet's heavy cidumn c<udd 
luive hec'i stayed l)y tlie tliiu lines in his front, excn if Wood 
had made no tdfort to ohey the order. It i>, however, use- 
less to speculate uixui what miuht have heeii. It will be 
more agreeable to detail the iieroic idforts that were made t(» 
stay tlie progress of Longstreet's exultant host and sa\e our 
annv from utter rout, in whi(di idi'(Uts Marker's hrii:ade. 




I II I I. u N '.1 1 N\ 11 1 1 i-i;i 



io6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



including the 125tli Ohio, bore an honorable part. As 
Bushrod Johnson swept across our original lines near Broth- 
erton's and onward in his triuniplial progress, Harker was 
lialted temporarily north of Dyer's Held while General Wood 
sought more delinite orders. Barnes' brigade had been sent 
on to Baird's left. The moment the forces south of ns were 
seen to l)e in confusion Harker ordered a change of front to 
the right, forming a single line, the 65tli Ohio on the right, 
ord Kentucky next, then the 125th Ohio and the 64th Ohio 
on the left. The line then faced south, at right angles to the 
original line. Law's division followed Johnson's to the La- 
fayette road, and Benning's brigade then turned to the north 
and moved against Brannan ; Sheffield's brigade followed 
Johns(Mi, bearing to the right, and Rob- 
ertson's brigade ciianged front to right 
between the other two. Harker's brigade 
attacked tliese troops. 

Our Springtields spoke for the first 
time tliat day. "Aim low, aim well, 
waste no shots," Avas Opdycke's first ex- 
hortation. The fire was effective. Hood's 
men found it necessary to pause in tlieir 
victorious march, and before long we had 
the satisfaction of seeing them break and 
fall back before our advance. Between the 12oth Ohio and 
tlie enemy, at a distance of about one hundred and fifty 
yards, was a fence bordering tlie northern side of a large 
field. Gen. T. J.Wood, who Avas at the moment with the 
125th (Harker being ai the time further to the right), ordered 
0[)dycke to advance and sieze the fence. Opdycke gave the 
order, " Forward, double (piick," which was repeated by 
comiiany commanders; at the same time the Colonel rode 
up to the line saying, "open a way, let me pass!"' and as a 
sjcice was cleared he jiassed to the front, then raised his hat 
and concluded the order with the word '• march I "' and we 




Krisr. (ion. J. (J. ^[iTcnKT.i.. 



c///ck'.L]/.u'(;A — s/-:co\/) da v. 



107 



tull(i\vc(l our Cdloiu'l oil (loiililc-([uick tiiiic ti> iIk' I'l-iin-, Init 
not without si'i'ious loss; and >o lioi was tlic ciiciiivs tiir 
that the iiu'ii instantly jiuUfd (hiwii the tfiicf, pih-d thr rails 
and lay (h»wn hohind thcin. I'cluniinu- tlu' cntniys tire with- 
out waitini;- tor oiMJers to hcuin- 'K\\v otJKT n-iiiiiK'Hts (»{' thf 
hrin'adt-' also adxainn-d, and prolonu'td our liiu- to riulil and 
left. In a shoit time the liioth and r»4th wn-r ordcnd to 
make a second advance — to '* advanc*-, tirinii." In that 
moNemeiit the liles douhled uis makiiiu- tour rank-<. Iea\iiii:- 
intei'vals throuii-ji whieh tlie I'ear rank |«a>sed. ninnini:' I'ap- 
idly forward a few jiaees, haltiiii:', tirinu' and dr))ji|iintc !•' the 
U-round to load, the next I'ank mean- 
time passinu' still furthei' to the trout 
to delivi'r its tire, and so on in sue- 
eession. \\\ that a<l\anee the two 
reii"imi'nt> uaiiu'tl a jtosition in the 
field south of the plare wliele (Jeli- 
eral Hood was wounded, where tliert' 
was a eojtse of timhei- on jiart of the 
line. Our \iew s(»uthward was now 
wholly uiiohst I'ucted. Many hattal- 
ioiis of till' i'liemy Were in siiiht, t hose 
nearest apitarently in <-imfusioii and 
ri'tirinu' hi'tore our advaiiee. Ueyond 
them lor a louii" distani'i' were otlu-r hattalions in motion, 
aitjiareiitly chanii'inu' front to riiiht s(t as to directly faee our 
line. Tlu- tirinii' ujion our line at that time almost eeased. 
There was only a desultory tiit- hy skirmishers lyiiii:- on the 
i^round hetween us and their main h<idy. And thiui, just 
when we oui^ht to have jioured the entire eouleiits of our 
eai'tridue hoxes into tho>e moviiii:' hattalions as rapidly as 
}»ossil)le, the iMV Went alono^ the line. " Those are MeC'(»ok*.>* 
troo[»s.'" Kvi'ryoiie was earrie<l away with the delusion. 
Orders wt'i'e ii'ivt'U to cease fii'iiii:' ami kee|i tin' tlau's well up. 
That seemed to suit the Confederate skirmishers, who-e tire 




io8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



was concentrated on the flao's, and the color bearers were 
shot down one after another in rapid succession. Those 
moving l)attali<tns did appear to wear bhie, dusty l_)lue, and 
prol)ably they were clothed in bkie jeans. Tliey were Long- 
street's men, Just an-ived from ^'irginia. We had never seen 
a Confederate clothed otherwise than in butternut or gray. 
And their battle Hags, Ijotli in color and size, a})iieared in 
the distance to resemble the l)rigade and division headquarter 
ilags of McC'Ook's corps. In the midst of this perplexity, 

Major General Thomas rode quietly 
up behind the 125th and calmly sur- 
\'eved the scene. From his own 
report we learn tliat he liad l)een 
informed of the doubt and at once 
I'ode o\ er. He said to Harker that 
lie was expecting Sheri(hin from that 
direction, Init if those troops tired 
on him, seeing his tlag, he must 
return their tire and resist their 
advance. By that time, however, 
the opposing forces had foi'uied line 
I'.Ri.i. v,v.s. .loiiN ]5i;attv. facing us — a long line, extending far 
beyond the flanks of Harker's little brigade, with a second 
line rai>idly forming in their rear. 

We (piote IVom the report of JJrig. Gen. Joseph B. 
Kershaw : 

" About U o'clock I was onU'red forward to report to Major General 
H(>o(l. (leneral Hood directed me to form line in his rear. Forming line 
(Humphreys on my left) as rapidly as possible under tire of the enemy and 
in a thick wood, 1 moved as directed to the front. 1 crossed the LaFayette 
road near a house (Brotherton's), and, crossing the oi>en ground, entered 
the woods beyond and ])roceeded nearly to what I understood to be the 
Cove road. The firing on my right became vi-ry heavy, and a jiortion of 
General Hood's division fell back along my line. 1 changed front almost 
perpendicularly to the right on ('olonel Nance's Third South Carohna regi- 
ment, my left center, which I ha<l indicated as the directing battalion. The 
enemy occupied a skirt of wood on the farther side of a field around Dyer's 




(•///ch'.tAf ir(;.i — s/-:co\/) /m: 



109 



House, Ills ri>:lit cxtciiiliii^' into llic wood l.cvonil the fK-l.l. Iiis Icl't no^vin^' 
tlie Cove i(i;i(l. His <iil(»rs were (istcutiitioiisly (lisi)l;tyti| nluii;.' tlic lines. 

The la.sf <>l 11 Is division (-ajra^'ed in my front liad jnst retired when I 

ordered tlie advance, (hrectinj: Colonel Hene-ran (Ki^ihth Snnth Carolina) 
to extend to the rif^iit and en>ra<ri' the enemy in that direction nntil 
Humphreys' arrival, wiio was then in motion. I ordered hayonets Mxed and 
moved at doul)le-(|ui(k, sendin;: Lieutenant Colonel (iaillard. Second Si. nth 
Carolina re^'iment (my extreme left) to gain the enemy's ri-jlii Hank. 
When within one hnndred yards of the enemy they Kroke, and I o|nneil 
lire u|ion tlicni aloiii: the whole line, Iml jiursui'il tlicni r:i|pidl v n\ cr the 
lirst line of hills to the foot of the seconti, when I halteil under a lieavv lire 
of artillery, on the heiirhls, sheltering.' the tiieii a> much as iio.<sii)le, and 
there awaitiiii: the (•omin'_' up of ilum|direys. on ni\' li^dit." 

It is clear that Kershaw, before lie ndvaiKcd. had discov- 
ered tlio sliortiioss of Ilarker's line, and piMcecdcd |ii(.iii|dl\- 
to tiiid lidtli llaiiks. His statement 
that w'l' l)r(»ke may he miscinistnicd. 
We did retreat heiori- liim to a 
stronger ]iositioii, hut tlie retroorad<' 
movement was in ()i)edienee to 01- 
ders, and was condiictetl in jHTlcct 




<'K.Mti» 11. <;k(>svkx<h:. 

ItrcVfi Uriuit'IuT (iciicnil. 



ordei'. llarker, in his report, said: 
" hill as they Were now on my Hanks |, 
as well as iVont, 1 retirecl hy hai- 
talions to tlie ci'fst of a hill, rnnninu- 
nearly piTiiendienlar to tlie general 
liiu' of l»attle."' 

(ieiieral Wood, in liis rejiort, 
said : 

"This moveiiieiit of the enemy made it necessary I should ^'ain a 
position in which I could form a shorter and more compact line, in w hich 
my right would he more protected hy natural ohstacles. I ac(ordingly 
retired my command to a narrow and short rid^'e, which stood out nearly 
at right angles a.s a sjiur from the gineral ridge, which is jtarallel to the 
Kossville and LaFayctte roa<l. The short ami narrow ridge extends athwart 
the valley, in a nearly east and west course. The ahrui>tnt'ss of the declivity 
on either side of it almost gives to this ridge the (piality of a natural jiara- 
pet. When I took position with llarkt-r's hrigade on the 

narrow ridge, extending jiartially aiross the valley, (ieneral Brannan formed 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



his command on my right and higher up on the main ridge, thus giving to 
our united hnes something of the shape of an irregular crescent, with the 
c-oncavity toward the enemy. Colonel Buell formed his command with 
General Brannan's." 

The several quotations almost completely tell the story 
of what occurred after Kershaw advanced. When General 
Thomas authorized it, Harker's line had [iromptly o[»ened 
tire, and Kershaw was in motion at almost the same moment. 
Our boys continued to pour a deadly stream of leaden mes- 
seno-ers across that tield into the faces of the advancing line, 
they coming steadil_y onward, however, 
tiring as they came. Our losses were 
severe; theirs must have been far greater. 
Then came the order to retire, and our 
men were called to their feet, hastily 
dressed the line, about-faced and marched 
(•tf, not double-quick, but on quick time. 
The man wht) has himself tried walking 
ofl" with an enemy in pursuit tiring as 
fast as guns can be loaded, bullets whis- 
iiKD, (ii.N. w. 1!. ua/e.n. ^jiij^^ about him and spattering against the 

trees, and comrades tailing in every direction, will realize 
that the jiower of discipline prevailed whei'c Opdycke com- 
manded. 

It was about half past 11 o'clock v. M. when llarker's 
l)riii"ade changed front and moved upon Hood's tlank. It 
was half past 1 o'clock when we about-faced at the left of 
Brannan. The value of the service rendered in those two 
eventtid hours can hai'<lly be ovcrestimatech It is extremely 
d()ul)tful if any other brigade in the army found the o[)[)or- 
tunit}' in that l)attle to render service of equal imjtoitance. 
One division of Longstreet's main column was encountered 
when Hushed with victory, and not only checked, Init 
stopped, turned back ami put out of the fight. And then 
its supi>Oi"ting division was n)et, fought and delayed. Two 
whole hours were gained to Thonuis, in which time what 




CIIK K. \M.\l 'O'.l — SECOX/) D.I ) \ 



was lott of liramiairs (li\i>i<iii uml tVau'iiu'iits of otlicr (••nn- 
inaiiils wt'i'L' u'atlicrt'tl Mini |hisIc(1 on tlu- riili;-f lo wliicli 
llarker also ri't iri'cl. llail Law's divisioii siiccrcMlfd in cDn- 
tiiminii" its j)r(»i:;ri'ss to that i-itlii'c and occu|iit'd it. with 
Uusiii'od Johnson's (lixision on his Kd't ami k'rr.-haw at his 
heels, the total ovi-rthi'ow ol' the Ainiv of tin- ( "ninlit-rland 
wonld have hoen assured. ^Vini there were no other troojts 
besides Ilarkor's hriu'aiK' availahle at the moment to |ire\i-nt 
tiiat threatened disaster. 

l>etore itroeee(linii' t(» narrate tlie snhse<iMent ev(.'nts itf 
the l.attle. in wliieli the lLl.')th partieipated to the close, it 
may lu- well to u'ianee at tlie ii'eneral situation of the armv at 
the time we tormed on Snodu'rass Heights. l)a\is" and Sher- 
idans dixisions. as we have seen,wei'e 
<uit of the liuht. (Ji-neral lioseerans 
and two eorps commanders, MeC'ook 
and Crittemleii, heinu'on the rmht at 
the time the line was h|-okeii, went 
oti" with Slieridan's division, |iassed 
throULj-h .McFarland"> ( iap and |>ro- 
«ee(h'd to Chattanooga. The roar ot 
hattle eontinninii\ assured tluiii that 
'I'liomas was still ahio to oli'er resist- 
ance to the enemy's prouress, and 
General Garfield, Chief of Staff, was 
sent hack from liossville to find 
Thomas and forward re|ioi'ts of the situation, while his 
superiors hastened to ( hattanooua to arranu'i' for di-fense of 
the })laci'. t'vidently cxpectinu- a Uull liun retreat. The four 
di\is!ons ot' our left v.ini:- were still clin<i'iii,u' to their tem- 
jiorary lu'east woiks, faciiiii' north, east and south alioiit 
Kelly's, while the tired, rejiulsed hut ever vi<:-ilant hat- 
talions of r)i"aii"ii" f^ right wiiiii" were still in close contact, and 
Forrest's cavalry was on the Ghattanooira I'oad oji|»osite 
Gloud's. ()n the extreme lett, and tai'inu" north and west. 




Wit I.I AM Ml Kim 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




were the battered remnants of brigades that had been taken 
from other parts of the line and pushed in there to resist 
tlie assault upon that iiank, viz: the brigades eomnuinded 
respectively by John Beatty, Van Derveer and Stanley, all 
three of whom came to Snodgrass Hill and joined in its 
defense. Oft* to Ilarker's left, and distant half a mile, Rey- 
nolds had drawn back his right (King's brigade) so as to 
face in about the same direction we did. Harker was at the 
Snodgrass house, facing southerly ; part 
of Stanley's brigade of Xegley's division 
next on Ilarker's riglit ; then the rem- 
nants of Brannan's division and part of 
Buell's brigade of Wood's division and 
other remnants of regiments on his right. 
(tcu. Gordon Granger, who had been in 
front of liossville with two brigades of 
Steednian's di\ision and one brigade of 
Morgan's division of the Reserve Corps, 
had left McCook's brigade to guard the 
road to the gaj), and with the brigades commanded by Whit- 
taker and John G. Mitchell, was marching to the battlefield. 
Of the several divisions constituting the enemy's left wing, 
Hindman had been recalled from pursuit of Davis and Sheri- 
dan and was moving to join Bushrod Johnson near Vidito's ; 
McLaw's division, under command of Kershaw, was on our 
immediate front ; Stewart was farther to their right, opposite 
Reynolds' right ; Preston and Hood's divisions, the latter 
now commanded by Law, were in reserve. 

It will be seen that the small force on that line, described 
by General Wood as crescent-shaped, needed all the advan- 
tage of a strong natural position, and Granger's reinforcing 
column also, for Longstrcet wanted and was determined to 
take that ridge. 

We were granted l)ut a short breathing spell in the new 
position before being called upon to face the first of a series 



Ma.:. (iKN. J. M. Bkannan. 



c///CK.L]/.irc;A — sj:co\/) />./)'. 



of iissaults uiioii it. KiT>li:iw liml halted at tin- loot of the 
lidu'c to await the arrival ot 1Iiiiiiii1iit\ "> KriLiailc. ami llio 
lattci", togetlu'i- with tho Fittcciith Ahil)aiiia of |.a\\"> lirii;- 
adr. haviiiii" Joiiit'd, all adxaiiced in a spirited ami well sus- 
tained i-iiari;-e upon the ridu't'. At the time of this assault 
tin.' nii'ii ot the lL*'>th, ami no doiiht of all the other reu-i- 
nu'Mts, wcro lyin^- on the iiivjund Just hehind the erest, out of 
ranji'o of the (k'sult(U-y tiro of skirmishers, or sharjishooters, 
whielu'NH'i- it niav ha\'e hei-n. who plied their work dnrinii' 
the inter\als hetweou the assaults. Xear tin- riu'Iit. and a 
little in ri'ar of llarker's line, wai^'GeiU'i'al Thonnis. on horse- 
liaek, and he ri'inaiiied in the same jdaei' all the afternoon. 
Garfield and (iranu'er joinetl the uroiip ahoiit Thonnis when 
tliey eaine up. General Wood was there, of eourse. The hoys 
had the ins[tiratiou to steadiness eoining from the presence of 
those distinguished otHeers. Colonel Opdyeke rode aloni;- the 
line eonstantly, never dismountinu- thonuh 
often urged to do so. Gaptain Jiate-, 
acting as Major, and Adjutant ^\'llite- 
sides, followed the Gcdonel's example, and 
never disnn)unted while we were under 
tire. When Kershaw anil llumphrii's 
made their first assault on the heights. 
Colonel Oiidvi'ke, having observed the 
approach of their lines, commanded: "At- 
tention, battalion I " The men sci'and)le(l 
to their feet, and instantly heard the fur- 
ther order, '' Right dress I "" which being 
eomplied with prcunittly, was followed by " K(nward, march I '' 
What did it mean".'' Before the line ad\ancc(l ten steps we 
eaught sight of an ad\anciiig line of the enemy in tin- tindter 
at the foot of the ridge, coming on rapidly. The Colonel's 
purpose was merely to give his men a good view of the 
object to l>c aimed at, and within a tew paces he ijaxe the 
orders, in deliberate succession, "•Halt: ri'adv, aim, tire!" 




.IhIIN C. HUKiKINItllMiE, 

I,ii'iit.<;cii.. C. s. A. 



114 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Apparently every man in the enemy's line fell. Probably 
they heard Opdycke's order or discovered our presence and 
sought to dodge, but many of them must have been hit. We 
were back behind the crest in a moment, and without the 
loss of a man. Presently the air was full of bullets, whis- 
tling overhead, and thereafter until night the regiment 
seldom rose to fire a volley without sustaining loss. In the 
interval of comparative quiet between two assaults. Steed- 
man's division arrived, marching past us to the right. We 
had the }>leasure of seeing old acquaintances in the 113th 

and 121st Ohio regiments. Colonel 
Banning, riding forAvard to shake 
hands with Opdycke, was greeted 
with cheers. Another pleasant inci- 
dent was the coming of Hazen's 



brigade to double our line. The 
41st Ohio, Colonel Aquila Wiley, 
commanding, was stationed behind 
the 125th, and on their arrival 
cheered Opdycke, evidently pleased 
to see one of their former captains 
commanding a regiment. There- 
wn.i.iA.i s. t.u„:n. c. .^^.^g,. ^^^ ^^^^ alternate volleys with 

the 41st, we firing and drojiping to the ground to load, when 
they ran forward, fired and fell back again. Hazen had been 
sent from a reserve position in the lines about Kelly's, where 
the fighting liad subsided to a skirmishing contest. The 
enemy on that wing having found it impossible to drive our 
men from their barricades by assault, remained in close con- 
tact, ready to spring, if our troops should attempt to move, 
and in that situation awaited the results of Long-street's 
assaults. 

Three distinct assaults were made during the afternoon. 
The following extracts from official re})orts indicate the pur- 
pose and charactei' of the struggle as viewed by the enemy. 




cjfu 'KAM. I ( '(;.i—s/-:co.\'/y pay 



"5 



(Jciicral I^onn'st ri'c't said: 

"'I'lir liciulits cxtciiiliiiLr lioiii llic X'i'litu liuiise aci'uss to tin- Siiodgrass 
liouso, fravt' tin- ciu'iiiy strung' ^'IoiiikI upon wliicli tu rally. Ilcrt' lie gath- 
ered most of his hiokeii forces and ieiiifon«'(l them. After a lonj? and 
l>loody strii.i,'ji;le, ■lohnson and Hindman liained tiie heiiriits near the ("raw- 
fisli Sj)rin<j; road. Kersliaw made a most handsome attaik upon tlie liei;;hts 
at the Snod^'rass iKtuse simultaneously with .lohnson and Ilindman, hut 
wa.s not strong enoujrh for the work. It was evident that with this position 
gained, I should he complete master of the lield. I tin refore orderi'd tien- 
eral I'uckner to move Preston forward." 

(iuiicral Kershaw, \\Im> finiiiiiaiiilfil nn mir liiiincili.-it.' 
front, said : 

'■ My Seventh South Carolina and Fifteenth .South Carolina had 
ol)liilued to the right. Colonel Ilenegan (Eighth Scnith Carolina) had pur- 
sued the enemy so far to the right that when Humphreys got up he oeeui)ied 
the interval het ween the Fifteenth and Eighth regiments. Colonel Oates, 
Fifteenth Alahama, Law's hrigade, came up on the right of the Seventh 
and occupied tlie line between that and the Fifteenth, and. with those regi- 
ments, ailvanced without orders. I had sent to the right to direct that I 
should he informed when Humphreys arrived. 
Ih'aring the tiring renewed on my right, I ad- 
vanced tlie li'ft wing and gained in some points 
the crest of the hill within a few yards of the ene- 
my's lines. After one of the most gallant struggles 
I have ever witnessed, I was comiielled to fall l)ack 
to a point about 1*')0 yards back. 

" Al)0ut M o'clock Brigailier (ieneral Amler- 
son's Mississii)pi briga<le came to my support. I de- 
scribetl to him the situation ami suggested an attack 
on the right Hank of tlu' position of the enemy. 
lie acquiesced in my view, and advanced his left 
preparatory to the movement, covering his front 
with skirmi.shers, who immediately became engaged ^"•"'- ''"' •'•k-mii>.m:. it. 
and ilrovi' in those of the enemy; but. raising a shout along their line, they 
advanced tlu'irlineof lialtic at a charge, driving back .Vuderson's I)riga<le 
in some confusion. With hearty cheers the Secoml and Third South Caro- 
lina and .James' l)attaIion engaged with the utmost'enthusiasm. An<lerson's 
brigade jiromptly reformed ami opened lire. His reserve regiment came 
up, anil in ti>n minutes' time the enemy was driven pell-mell. The Second 
South Carolina and Anderson's brigade dashed after him and drove him to 
the top of the hill, the Second .Sjuth Carolina reaching the crest. The 
troops to his left having fallen back to their lormer jiosition, Lieutenant 
Colonel Gaillaril says in his report that 'he was obligeil reluctantly to fall 
back.' 




ii6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



"Ahdut four o'clock Grade's and Kelly's brigades came up and 
reported to nie. I directed them, the former to form in my rear, and the 
latter to form on Ciraciti's left. General Hindman informed me that he was 
about to attack on Anderson's left, well on the right flank of the enemy, 
with two l)rigades of infantry with artillery. Soon after he opened heavily 
in that direction, but sent me word the attack was likely to fail unless a 
demonstiation was made along the front. I determined on an attcck com- 
bining all our forces ; McNair's brigade, which had come uj), on my right, 
Grade's, Kelly's, Anderson's, my ow"n. Eighth, Fifteenth and Second regi- 
ments pai'tidpating. The rest of my brigade, 1)eing in whole or in i)art out 
of anmiunition, remained in reserve at their position. This was one of the 
heaviest attacks of the war on a single ])oint. The brigades went forward 
in magniiicent order. General Grade under my own eye, led his brigade, 
now for the first time under lire, most gallantly and efficiently, and for more 
than an hour and a half the struggle continued with unaliated fuiy. It 
terminated at sunset, the Second South Carolina being among the last to 
i-etire. At dark Genei-al Robertson, of Hood's division, came up with his 
brigade and incketed to my front. About ten o'clock, I think, he informed 
me that the enemy had left. I immediately communicated the fact to the 
Lieutenant General commanding." 




General Kershaw could well say 

of the iiiial assault that " this was 

one of the heaviest attacks of tlie 

war on a single point," Longstreet's 

entire coniniand, except Stewart's 

division, swarmed around that hill 

and cliaru-ed up those slopes ; not in 

a single etfort as at Gettysburg, but 

^^|t *» again and again, until the approach 

tf^^HBHim«^l^\ of night, if not })hysical exhaustion, 

^^^H ^^JHp u"^ put an end to the struggle. The 

losses in Longstreet's command were 

LlKCT. Uexrv N. Penfucld (18!to). *- 

44 per cent., by far the greater part 
incnrred in tliose desperate, persistent cliarges. 

And what shall we say of the men who resisted that 
intrepid host. Over on the right two brigades, commanded 
respectively by John G. Mitchell and Walter C. Whitaker, of 
Steedman's division, held the ground against two divisions, 
Buslirod Johnson's aiul ]Iindman"s, at a cost of 49 per cent. 



J 



(7//CA'.l.]/.irG.1—S/-:C().V/) D.tV 



117 



of their iiuuiltt-'i' killctl oi- whuikUmI within thri-c hinirs. 
Next to Steednian, on nrannairs ri«;-ht, was a thin line. ina(k' 
u|i of fraii'ini-nts ti'oni several coniinands, that withstood the 
iirst assauh and stcuxl with eni|ity eartridii'e hoxes waitinn" 
for the next, when \ an I'erveei's hrii;'a(h' eaine to their 
reseui' and St<'e(lnian u'avi' them a fresh •'^n|iiily of anunu- 
iiitioii. \'an l)er\eei' h)st ")<) pel" cent, in the liatth', hnt was 
heavily eiiu'au'ed hoth (hiys. Jirannans a\crai:'e loss was 
almost 4(1 per cvwX. Uetween llrannan and Marker was 
Stanley's hi-ig-ade of Xeuleys dixision. t'aeiiii:' l\ersjiaw"s own 
hi'iu-ade. it was on ^^tanley's t'ront that (iraeie i^aintMl and 
held the summit t(tr a time, and was at 
last ex|ielh'<l hy a cliarii'e led hy Col. 
Chai'les 11. (Jrosveiior. iSlh Oliio. Ilar- 
ker, holding the left of the line, was 
eonfronted hy IIuin|ilirey"s l)rio'ade, Avith 
the Sth South Cai'olina reu'imeiit (d' Ker- 
shaw's hriii'aiU' on his ri<i"lit and the loth 
South C'ai'olina of the same hi"ii>'ade on 
his left, and the ^')\\\ Alahania of Law"- 
l)riiiade hetween that and ICershaw. The 
reu'iment's in Ilumiihrey's hriu'ade were 
the l:Uli. ITth. IStli an<l 21st .Mississippi. In the final 
assault .MeNair's hrii^'ade on the i-i^lit of (iraeie also faeed 
llaiker. amh as already stated, llazeu had come to oui' assist- .. 
ancc. In the reti'eat from I)yei'*s iield the 125th was the las^ 
reiiiuicnt to ascciiil the hill and was [>osted on the left of f^^ 
hriuade. and was. therefore, on the left Hank of t'-^ '"'^^ 
defeudiiio- the heiu-hts. It was when we reached ♦^"':i^ position 
that (ieneral Thomas said to Opdyeke. '• (\>?<>i'^'l- .^■"" '""^^ 
hold this positiim at all hazards:"' and tne latter replied: 
" AVe will, General, or u'o to heaven fn.-m it." <>iir loss in 
the l)attle w^as reported as lOo, e.\>ietly one-third ot' our 
numher. hut our loss on the first (Vay was less than 4 per 
cent, and on Sunday over 2!» per cent. The losses of other 




.1ami> Sanm;i;. < ' 



ii8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



'tti%» 




regiments in Harker's brigade were : Srd Kentucky, 113 ; 
64th Ohio, 71, and 65th Ohio, 103. The reports did not 
inekide those shghtly wounded and who did not go to tlie 
hospitaL Less than five thousand men marched away from 
those heights at tlie close of the battle. There was not to 
exceed six thousand men in line there at any one time during 
the afternoon, and every regiment, excepting only those of 
Steedman's division, had suffered heavy losses before making 
that final stand. They were not protected by works, but 
they had the advantage of a strong posi- 
tion, and every man seemed to have 
formed the same resolution expressed by 
Opdycke, that they would hold the posi- 
tion or go to heaven from it. Long after- 
wards General Wood, in speaking of the 
extraordinary firmness of the lines on that 
s, ■ occasion, said : " When the first assault 

m^L \ 9 was made, I noticed tliat men who fell 

^^^ tt ^Xs t m were carried back by their comrades and 

ALEX. Y.,..EH, F (1895). j.^-^^ ^i^^^^j^ ^ fg^^ ^^^^^^^ f^.^^j^ ^l^g Yxx^^^ tllOSe 

who bore them hastening Ijack to their jdaces ; then I knew 
their pluck was up, and they (;ould not ]je driven from the 
position." 

Chickamauga was the bloodiest l)attle of modern 
times. In the two days' struggle nearly every brigade in 
\)oth armies was on one or more occasions overpowered and 
fovced to retreat in more or less disorder, until their pursuers 
were in turn crushe<l and hurled back by other troops rush- 
ing upon thiftir flanks. But no amount of punishment pre- 
vented a ]»rompt readjustment of lines and renewal of the 

conflict. 

Gen. H. V. Bo'V'iton says : " Chickamauga is, then, 
l)eyond question, the iDOst noted battlefield of modern times 
when measured by the si-ubborn and undaunted fighting done 



CUlCKAM.irCA — SECOXD DA Y 



119 



upon it — a stiiiMlaitl \vli<t>f lainK'>s tliuix' will he none to 
dispute." 

In support of tliat ^-troiii^ statoiiit'iit lie gives tlic jxt- 
centage of losses in a number of noted battles as follows: 

"Wellington lost 12 per cent, at Waterloo; NapukMHi 
14 per cent, at Austerlit/, and the same at Mari'iiu-i>. Tlu" 
average losses of both armies at Magenta and Solfcriiio, in 
1851>, was less than !• per cent. At Koniggrat/., in isiiil. it 
was (i per cent. At Worth, Mars-la-TtMir, (Tra\eh)tte and 
Sedan, in 1870, the average was 12 per cent. 

*' The average losses on each side of the troops which 
fought through the two days at Chickamauga were fully 33 
per cent.*"'- 

The stubborn tighting was not contined to the infantry. 
Wi' have already mentioned the rt'sistmice ()ir.if<l li\ Mintv 
and Wilder to the Confederate ad- 
vance on the 18tli, and the fact that 
Forrest's cavalry fought infantry on 
both (hivs. Our ca\ airy on the right 
Hank Indd on about C'rawtish Springs 
until late on Sunday, Long's brigade 
liaving a severe battle, in whieh Col. 
Valentine Cupp, of the 1st ( ). Y. C, 
was killed. 

As night approached (Tcneral 
Thonuis l)egaii [ireparatidns for the 
movement to Rossville niih^i-ed l)y 
Gen. Hosecrans. Keynolds" di\ ision 
moved first tVom the left wing, going north waril on the La- 
fayette road; Turdiin's l^rigade forming lim- near liaird's 
left, and charging drove the Confederate' infantry away from 
the road, when Turchin's and Willicli's brigades were poste<l 
west of tiie road to cover the withdrawal of the rest of the 




.1 AMI - Mi.i:i:i-iiN. \i. 



* •' ('liickiiiiuiiit;a Naliniiul Militiiry I'luk." y\k '.'.i. Tiy iiiul J."i 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



line. Ptiliuer's di\isi()ii moved next, l)ut his movement was 
discovered by tlie enemy, who opened tire at once and 
advanced to the breastworks Pahiier had left. Johnson and 
Baird were attacked at the same time, but got away in fairly 
good order, following Palmer through McFarland's Gap. 
The withdrawal from Snodgrass Heights commenced about 
7 o'clock p. M., Ilarker's brigade leading the column, and 
each brigade from left to right following in turn, all getting 
away in good order excepting three regiments. The 2l8t 
and 89th Ohio and 22nd Michigan, at the left of Whitaker's 

brigade, did not get notice to with- 
draw witli him and were surrounded 
and captured. On the morning of 
the 21st the Army of the Cumber- 
land was in position on Mission 
Ividge, on each side of Rossville 
Ga[>, with the right wing extending 
across the valley towards Lookout 
Mountain. 

Early on the morning of the 
21st the regiment moved into the 
position assigned it on Mission 
liidge, near Possville, and threw up 
l)reastwoi'ks, part of the regiment going forward as skir- 
mishers. In the afternoon the skirmish lines were assailed, 
l)ut held their ground. Sergt. Henry G. Russell, of Com- 
pany F, was among those wounded at that point. At night 
the command marched to Chattanooga, Comi»any II, with 
detachments oi" other regiments, remaining beliind the 
breastworks as rear guard until after midnight, when they 
followed, rejoining the brigade after daylight near Fort 
Wood. 




.1am;> a. Ni 



ClllCK.lMAUGA— OPDYCKI/S RirORT. 



Hi I'l' ( '.pIoiicI 



Tliu foUowiiij;- is a e<ij)y <il' ili<' "tlicia 
0}»(lycke : 

ClIATTANoiHiA. Ti:NN., Sfj it I'llll ilT 'Jf I, ISCi.'!. 

Sii;: I haw tlic Ikhiki- to siilimit a rt'|tiirt of tlii' ojifiatioiis of my 
refriinent since crossing the Tennessee rivet-. 

At M w M., 5tli instant, we niarilied uitii the liii.Lraile from Sln-ll- 
luoiiml. Tenn., towaril C'iiattanooga on the river mail. Tlie next day, i>. .m., 
Wf liivonacived seven miles distant from ChattanooL'a. At In i-. m., same 
day. we retired two miles to a strong' i)ositioii. 

On the 7th we formed a part of the force niider Colonel Ilarkcr, who 
make a reconnoi.<.<anci' till we develoi)e<l an<l drew the firt- of the enemy's 
batteries, which were in position to <lisi)nte onr entrance to the eity. 

The skirmishers of my Company D, led hy Lient. V,. 1*. Kvans, made 
a gallant charge and cleared a house of a very troublesome lire of the enemy. 
This reconnoi-ssance wa.s deemed hazardous, an<l thi' Colonel commanding 
directed me to be prepared to fight to the last man. and if sui rounded to 
cut our way out. but nothing serious occuried 
molestation. At 1 c. m., on the 9th, we 
entered Chattanooga and bivouacked in its 
suburbs. 

On the 10th at 8 a. m., we moved toward 
Kinggold, Ga. : bivouacked again at dusk. 
We countermarebed again on the 11th to the 
Lafayette road, and made a reconnoisance 
upon it. The ( )ne Hundred and Twenty- 
liftb, two comiianies of the Sixty-fourth Ohio 
\'olunteers, and four guns of the brigade 
battery wi-re i)laced under my comman<l as 
reserve near Ko.ssville. The Colonel com- 
manding ordered me to l)e prejiared to co\cr 
a retreat should one become neces.siry. Suit- 
able ilispositions were madi', but not needed. 

as at 6 I'. M. I received Colonel Ilarker's re- r.nriii; a. i. --" 

port, from CJordon's Mills, with orders to 

send a copy of it to (ieneral Wood an<l the original to de|>artment head- 
quarters at Chattanooga. This was done with the utmost disjiatch. 

At () 1'. M. 1 received orders from Colonel Ilarker to join him with my 
eomniiuid without delay. This was accomplished by 1 a. m. of tlie I'Jth 
instant. 

The same day we were on a reeoiinoissance across West (hickamauga 
river. On the 18th the Colonel commanding made a reconnoissance witii 
my regiment to the vicinity of Crawfish Springs, where we were left on de- 
tached picket duty till tlu' a. m. of the 14th. In the \\ .m. of the same day 
we were out again on the LaFayette mail. The l.">th and IHth were inutly 
spent in making barricades along the north ])ankof the West Chickamauga. 




OPD YCKE TIGERS, 



At night we were ordered to be ready to inarch at daylight with sixty 
rounds of ammunition to each man. At daylight on the 19th, my regiment 
was ready for action with the following organization : Emerson Opdycke, 
Colonel commanding; C'apt. E. P. Bates, acting Major; Lieut. E. G. White- 
side, Adjutant; H. McHenry, Surgeon; J. E. Darby, Assistant Surgeon; 
James G. Buchanan, Assistant Surgeon; Freeman Collins, acting Sergeant 
Major; H. N. Steadman, Commissary Sergeant. 

Company A, Capt. Joseph Bruft" Officers, 2 

Company B, Capt. A. Yeomans ' 

Company C, Lieut. M. V. B. King 

Company D, Capt. R. B. Stewart ' 

Company E, Lieut. A. Barnes ' 

Company F, IJeut. D. Humphreys 

Company H, Lieut. Charles T. Clark ' 

Company G, Lieut. William W. Cushing. . . 
Field and Staff' 



2 


Men 


46 


Total, 48 


1 




43 


" 44 


1 




39 


" 40 


2 




31 


" 33 


1 




39 


" 40 


1 




42 


" 43 


1 




36 


" 37 


1 




20 


" 21 


6 


" 


2 


8 



Aggregates. 



16 



298 



314 



At 11 A. M. heavy tiring of all arms was heard two or three miles to 
nir left, and at 1 i". m. we were rapidly moved to the scene of conflict. Our 

attack was made with the Third Kentucky on 
our left and the Sixty-fourth Ohio on our 
right. The enemy seemed surprised at our 
appearance, and after a sharp encounter, in 
which I lost the First Sergeant of Company 
A, killed, and eleven men seriously wounded, 
he disappeared from view, leaving nine pris- 
oners, one an officer, in our hands. 

The growth of small timber was so 
dense we could see but a few rods in any 
direction. I then received orders from Colo- 
nel Harker by an aide to assume command 
(if the Sixty-fourth Ohio, and with it and my 
own regiment, to disperse any enemy we 
might find. We were then on the right of 
i.HiN^MS ~iM~ I' ,vr,| the road upon which we came out from 

Crordon's Mills. Firing on us soon com- 
menced from oui' front, right and rear. I immediately ordered scouts 
and skirmishers out to develop our surroundings. Their deployment had 
only commenced when 1 received orders by an aide from the Colonel com- 
manding to bring the two regiments out and join liini, wliich was done 
without serious intcn-ui)tion. We were then jciined to tiie liahince of the 
division, and in line hiy upon oui- arnis, without ffres, until 2 a. m. of the 
20tli. We tlien moved about one and one-half miles and at an early hour 
were phui'il in position for the impending battle. Colonel Barnes' brigade 




Clin K. IMAUGA — OJ'nVCKI/S RI'.rOR r. 



'^3 



of Van ('l('Vi''s division was (Hi our It'll, the Sixty-fourtli ()liii) in front, an<l 
the Sixty-lifth Ohio on onr ri<;lit. This and my own rcgiiiu'nt foinn-d the 
second Hne, an<l Colonel llarker (Hrected nie to have f^eneial char^rc of it, 
and liave its movements conform to those i>f tlie Hist line. I then directed 
Major Brown, commanding' the Sixty-fifth, to maintain lii< relative position 
to the One Imndred and TweiitN -lil'th, and to the 'Ihiid Kentucky, which 
was in his front, as far as possible. .\ sharp skirmish ami artillery lirinjr 
ocoun-ed to our front, when wi' were marche<l on tiie donhle-quick hy the 
left tiank to reinforce Keynolils, wliere a heavy roar of arms had heeii heard 
a short time. We had only come under the outskirts of the enemy's fire 
in our new jtosition, when we were vig(jrously attacked on our rijrht Hank 
and rear hy superior ninnbers. A chan<re of front to our rear on our left, 
which was executed under a si'vere fire, placed us (the Sixty-fourth on our 
left, Third Kentucky on our right, the Sixty-fifth still farther to the rigiit, 
the whole j)erpendicnlar to Reynold's line), facing to the south and to the 
enemy. The line stretche<l nearly across a long, 
ojien Held. ( )ne hundred yards to our rear was a 
ridge running parallel to the line, which amended 
into ([uite a timbered hill '.^OU yards lo my ri^ilit. 
The enemy's line, which was 200 yards distant, 
reached beyoml our Hanks and was advancing upon 
us. A severe encounter with small arms raided I'oi- 
a short time, when General Wood in person ordered 
us to move forward, ^[y regiment fixed bayonets 
and charged on double (piick. 

The enemy Hed in confusion ami disajiiK-ared 
for a time. We pursued 400 yards and lay down 
behind a prostrate fenci', which was uiion another 
less tenable, but parallel riilge t(j the first one. 
This ridge also rose into a woo<le<l hill, 150 yanls 
to our right. The other regiments of the brigade 

soon prolongt'tl my line to the right ami left. Anothei line ol the enemy, 
more formidable than the first, appeared in the distance moving upon us. 
The terrible splendor of this advance is beyond the reach of my jx-n. The 
whole line si'cmed i)erfect and as if moveil by a single mind. The musketry 
soon became si'vere and my losses heavy. The Color Sergeant severely 
wounde<l, the standanl shot in two the second time and the colors riildled 
with balls. The regiment to my left gave way, and then that ujion my 
right. My Comjiany A, thinking this meant for all to retire, arose and 
fai'Cil to the real', liut almost instantly resume<l their position. The enemy 
came on and themselves prolonged my line to the right, occupied the 
woo<led hill there and enfiladed my line with a destructive fire. Lieutenant 
King, comman<ling Company C, fell dead, when Sergent .Vlson C. IHlley 
assumed commamlof his company. Lieutenant Barnes, commanding Com- 
pany ]"-, went down with a broken thigh, and Lieut. 1'. 1'. l-'vans was jilaceil 




J. U. Kkksiiaw. 
Major (u'lKTiil. ('. S. A. 



124 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



ill comiiiancl. Captain Yeomans carried off' a ball in his upper leg, but he 
remained with his company under severe pain. Numbers fell dead and 
more were seriously wounded, but the line maintained. Lieutenant Clark 
coolly remarked, " They can kill us, Init whip us, never!" Seeing no relief 
I retired the regiment to the ridge in the rear. In doing so some troops 
passed oljliquely through my right wing, which caused a little confusion 
there, but the ranks were closed immediately and the crest occupied where 
ordered by General Wood. 

This position Avas repeatedly assaulted during the day in the most ter- 
rific manner by heavy forces of Longstreet's corps, but it was triumphantly 
maintained until the battle was ended, and till after dark, when we were 
ordered to retire, which we did without molestation. Late in the afternoon 
two pieces of the Eighteenth Ohio batter}' were placed at my command. 

They aided much to repulse the enemy. The 
Forty-first Ohio and Ninth Indiana of Gen- 
eral Hazen's brigade. Palmer's division, filed 
two roils to my rear and added their veteran 
fire in repulsing the last assault. 

On the 21st we were in position near 
Rossville, and on the '22d we occupied our 
assigned position in the lines around Chat- 
tanooga. Captain E. P. Bates acted coolly 
and efficiently as acting Major. ]My Adju- 
tant, Lieut. E. G. Whitesides, was almost 
indispensable to me. His gallant daring was 
conspicuous and bis horse was shot under 
him. Sergeants Alson C. Dilley, Company 
C; Rollin D. Barnes, Company B; H. N. 
Steadman of the non commissioned staff, and 
Charles C. Chapman of Company G, distin- 
guished themselves for cool courage and capacity to command under the 
severest tests. I have recommended then to the distinguished considera- 
tion of the (iovernor of Ohio. Mv casualties were: 




Skui.t. JdiiN S. Williams, D. 



C 



mpany. 


Killed. 


A\' 


ounded. 


Mi 


ssing. 


Aggregate 


A 


2 




9 








11 


B 


2 




12 




1 




15 


C 


1 




11 




1 




13 


D 


1 




6 








7 


E 


1 




13 




3 




17 


F 


3 




11 








14 


G 


3 




4 








7 


H 


4 




17 








21 



83 



105 



C V//C 'A'. /. I A / ('G.l — .VO TFS OX. i 2 5 

Jiistifc ilriiKiinU lliat the hirls in l;i\ < n' i >l' f< mr ■ pf I lir iiiissiii;: In- i i(li- 
cially iioti'il. Two nl' tlu-iii liad \\\^\ juiiicil from liosjiital. one lunl iio sliofs. 
ami on crossiii'r a Imniiiifi: turf, on tlic 19tli, liis feet hccaiiic so Ininu'il that 
he ami the otiii'r two, not l>cin<r aide to kci']i up, were or(lcn'<l liack liy tludr 
ollict r. Tin- fourtii one was left hack lo take care of I.iiMilcnaiit l'>ariU'S, 
which K'avus the lifth the mily case without excuse in the rcj.'iuicnt. 
W-ry respectfully, your most ohedient servant, 

IVMERSON Oi'DYC KK, CtiUiUil aninntiviliinj. 
.M.\.r. S. L. CoiLTKi:, 

Act i ml A>'sisttiiil Ailjntdiit (Inural. 



N()Ti:s OF iN'n:i;i;sT to 



in Mi;.\. 



(Iciiefals lv<is(.'('i-;iiis, ( 'rit tciuleii and (iarlield iiassed tin- 
l:i.")tli while we were in line west of Iji'()tlierti>n"s, the two 
toiMuei- stopping to speak to Colonel Opdyeke, while Garfield 
rode alonu' the front of the regiment and greeted tli(> men 
with whom he was personally ae(iuainted. They rode away 
to tiie right, and \ery soon thereafter 
the oi'dei' came to General Wood on 
which We moved to the rear ol' 
Reyn()lds. 

When the ll'')tli was deployi'd 
and I'eady to go into action on the 
tirst day, Colonel Opdyeke rode 
along the line and sai<l : •• Let no 
man lea\e the raid<s to care for 
wonnded nu'ii. The only way to 
give them etieetixi' car*- is to first 
win the hattle and hold the field." 

The retreat of tiie liloth from 
i)yer's field to tSnodgrass Heights hefore Kershaw's advaiu-e, 
was a severe test of discipline. It was not a disorderly roiit. 
The regiment halted at the fence to which we had iire\ionsly 
cliarged and tired three rounds. Li-fr that jiositioii at the 
same time with the ord Kentucky and halted again at a fence 
near the foot of the ridge, south of the well, and tii-ed two 
or threi- ronnds : and halted a third time in the corntield part 



WOM 



126 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



way up the slope, but on!}' for a minute, and then took the 
position on the crest that we held until niglit. 

General Wood followed the 125th in the charge ordered 
by himself on Sunday, gave the order for the further advance 
into Dyer's field, and either advanced with the line oi- fol- 
lowed it. AYe were under his observation most of the time, 
and he expressed his opinion of the conduct of the regiment 
by naming it " Opdyke Tigers." From that date the 125th 
seldom passed another command without hearing such ex- 
pressions as "There go the Tigers," " How are you, Tigers? " 
^' Go in, Tigers ! " etc. 

The following is a fa.csiviile copy of i)art of a letter 
written b_y General Wood, in which he states his reason for 
gi^'ing the sobricpiet : 











Adjutant Whitesides was dismounted temporarily about 
2 p. M. on Sunday by his beautiful bay horse "Billy" being 
killed. 

It has been impossible in the prei)a]-ation of this chapter, 
thirty years after the conflict, to secure a fnll list of the killed 
and wounded of the 125th at Chickamauga. Of those wlio 
were instantly killed, Orderly Sergeant Morris of A, fell on 
the l!>th north of Viniard's; Color Cor^). A\^i Ilium McGitti- 



CIllCKAMAli'.A— LIST OF CASLAl/riliS. 



•-'7 



iraii ol' (i, ami \\'iHi:iiii Uriiiri" of I >. tell at tlic t'nicc to 
wli'u'li wi' tiist cliaiiiiMl on tlic lintli; .l;i«-ol» Crojis of A, VA- 
\\\\\ Z. Al)raiMS ot" C William Ilowoli of II. .lolm Sommcr of 
II, and Alois Scik-r of II, in Dyer's Hc-ld : Thomas . I. Hall 
and William '1'. . I cnninii's of l*\ at tin- point wliiTr tlir irui- 
iiient halted la>i licfoic takiiiir post on Snodgrass Heights; 
William M. .lolinson of !',, ami C'ori'. William IUmIoII of II. 
in the tirst assanit l»y thr iMicmy npoii tlu- lirights, ahont "J 
1'. .M. : Kufns 11. Mo>sniaii at the l)C'uiiiirniu- of tlic third 
assaidt, ahout 4 i'. .\i.; Curtis F. Botdcor ami Joseph Jolinson 
of K, fell on the second day. Those who wore mortally 
wounded nearly all fell into tin- hands cd" the enemy, were 
])aroled and sent into Chattanooga on -^- 
Seiitemlier o<>, aii<l died in our own 
hospitals. The list as near as we can ,. 
give it is : Lieut. Alhert Barnes, of K, \ 
who fell in Dyer's field, shot throuuh the 
thigh : Sylvester Haritf, Alexander Miller 
and Lewis Wel.h of A: dohn W. Weleh. 
of 15: Lthan C. I>nggs, of C; da«ol. JP 
Sinionetti'. of I-]: William .\. Meek, ot" 
F, who tell on Saturday and lay in the 
wo.mIs until the next We<]nesday. when \v„ mam m. .i.„,n..,n. ii. 
he was removed to the hospital: l-'raid<liii Kinie, o|' l'\ who 
fell in the tirst i-harge on Sumlay ; Henry d. Middlet<ui, of 
G; dohn Williams, of 11, fell in lirst eharii"e on Sunday, the 
bullet entering lii> eye and passing through his lu'ad : daek 
Collister, of II, wounde<l on Saturday — all those al»o\e named 
died at Chattanooga. Cor|i. \\'illiain Heagli. of F, died in 
hospital at Stevenson. Ala.: .lohn Barry, of II. W(Uimled on 
Saturday, died at Crawfish Spring two days later: Perry 
Fiteh. of V>, ami Adam Sell, of 1'], wi're not paroled ami died 
in Southern prisons, the i"ormer at Riehmond. ^'a.. and the 
latter at Andersonville. dohn C. Strealy. of (L who tell on 
Snodijrass Heights, his right aid<le shattei'eij. was earried 




128 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




from the field when the re^-inient left at night by Sergeant 
Van Gordei- and others nntil they found an opportunity to 
pUice him on a gun carriage and thereby saved him from 
ca[)ture. He died in Chattanooga, 

Many of those seriously wounded but who recovered, 
were also left on the Held, fell into the hands of the enemy^ 
and the worst cases were paroled and sent to Cbattanooga, 
while others were retained, sent South 
and served terms in militar}^ prisons. 

Lieut. M. V. B. King fell near where 
the regiment halted at the foot of the 
heights, shot through the right lung, and 
was reported killed but still lives. Three 
times during the afternoon the enemy's 
lines passed him to assault our position, 
and each time he had the satisfaction of 
seeing them repulsed. In the evening he 
lu I IS II. MossMANN, 1!. erawled to a cabin not far away where he 
remained several days, and was then removed to Crawfish 
Springs and thence to Chattanooga, and in time was taken 
north by stages from one hospital to another and finally 
reached his home. 

Ord. Sergt. Henry Glenville. of H, fell in the first 
charge, shot through the body. He was paroled and went 
from one hospital to another until he reached Camp Denni- 
son, Ohio, wdiere he remained for some montlis, then returned 
to the regiment and served as a lieutenant to the end of the 
war, but has not been heard from since muster-out. 

Charles Heed, of H, was shot tlirough the hand and 
breast when part way up Snodgrass Heights, and w\as thought 
to l)e mortally wounded. After the first assault and l)efore 
the second, Peter Knapp, of H, was given permission to go 
out for the purpose of getting Reed's watch and trinkets to 
send home and was himself shot by a sharpshooter, and laid 
there insensible and supposed to be dead, but both recovered. 



s^-^ 



JW 



0^ 



\ -v? 







r 



C'nlSl-. .IaMKs l;. DlCKMiN. A (ISlt.-)). 



CJIICKAM M'GA—OrR WOLXPFJ) MEX. 



1 29 



Kiia|>it was not rdca^rd tVoiii ("oiittilciati' iiri,»(»ii, however, 
until tlie close of the wai-. Il( iiiv X. Tracv and Patrick 
Welcli, (>f r> : Michael Swartz ami Anthony I'.un-ow, uf C ; 
William Durant, of 1) : Kiehai'd JJeenian and Samuel Tueker, 
of \\ and Henry l''ost, of II, were all paroled an<l recovered 
from wounds. Tuckei' lost an ai-m. 

C'orji. .lames li. Dickson, of A, one of the color ifuard, 
was of the numliei' who were wounded in the effort to keep 
the iiao; tioatinii" in Dyi'i- field. The l>all iri'a/.cd his foi-ehead 
and passed thronu'li his let't hand shattei- 
iuiji^ sevei'al hones, lie went to a house 
wlu're other wounded men were oratliere<l. 
and was cajitured in couse<|uence of oui' 
lines retiring' atti-r dark, but was paroled 
with the others ten days later. He hatl 
dreamed of beini:; wounded a few days 
before, and the ciix'umstances of his ease 
corresjiond very closely with those of the 
dream. 

Six of the color guai'ds and si-veral 
others were wounded within a very few minutes in trying to 
display the flag while under tlie inqu'ession that Kershaw's 
trooi)^ were our own, V)ut the names of all those who fell 
with tlu' thii;' in haml were not preser\cd. Corp. William S. 
Thorn, of C, was one of them and Lieutenant Clark was 
another. The latter was sti'uck ami knocked down by a 
niinie ball, which fortunately came in contact with a rubljer 
jioiicho fohU'd antl shiiiu' tVoni his shoidcK-rs. and also struck 
and wrecked his silver watch, but did no fui'tlu-r damage 
beyond inflicting a severe lu'uise. The flag was instantly 
raised by another, who in turn fell, and one after another fell 
in ra})id sueeession. <>nc i>f the last to raise it was Sergt. 
D. K. Blystone, who held it for several minutes and then 
turned it over to Corp. dolm Wannan, wim carried it back 
to Snodgrass Ileiglits. Lieutenant King, commanding the 




I'i;ki:y Fm h, \\. 



I30 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




color company, stood near watching the proceedings and was 
slightly wounded in the face. 

General Kershaw, in his otHcial report, describing our 
line as it appeared when he moved to attack it, said, "their 
colors were ostentaliously displayed." 

A majority of our wounded, nearly all who could walk, 
escaped capture and made their way to Chattanooga. 

Captain All)ert Yeomans was shot in Dyer's iield, the 
ball passing through his thigli, fortunately missing bone and 
artery. He refused to leave the ranks, 
and walked l)ack to tlie heights with liis 

*^ command. From there he went to Chat- 

^1 tanooga. lie never recovered so far as to 

""^ }»ermit his return to the regiment. 

Sergt. 1), Iv. BIystone was shot 
tlirongh the right shoulder during the 
first assault on Snodgrass Heights, and 
walked to Kossville where he was taken 
in charge by a surgeon and sent to Chat- 
tanooga, and returned to duty before 
sprinij:, having been promoted to lieutenant. Among the 
wounded who were not captured were Dighton Young, of A ; 
Darius Britton, Jessie H. Carey, Porter A. Gotf (shot through 
hand and wrist), Hezekiah L. Griffith and Francis Sprague, 
of B ; George W. Simpson, Williiun S. Thorn, James Sanner, 
Christopher C. Clark, Benjamin Hall, William McKinley, 
Cassius M. Zedeker and George Perkins of C; Sergt. Ed- 
ward Scripture, of D ; Sergt. James ISTeeds, George L. Arnold, 
Charles II. Countryman, David M. Kerr, John McFarland 
and Josepii C. liandolph, of E ; Sergt. Henry G. Kussell, 
Sergt. John R. Clark, Johnson Sims, John L. Beatty, John 
Goetz, Alfred M. Maxon, Carey Tuttle, Alexander Yoder 
and William H. Beeny, of F; Jacob Sauter, William Morris 
and Joseph Grime, of H. Several of those above named 
remained until night and went off with the regiment. The 




^TKKAI.V, G. 



ClIICKAMALGA—Ol'R WOrXDID MI-.X. i^i 



C'oloin'l did not iiii'liid*" in liis report ot woiindiMl any of 
tliosi' who remained <>n dntv. Had In- done >o tlie per- 
centiiifo ot" easualties Would have been altout t wie»' as ijreat. 
Fully oiie-liair of tliosi' jii'eseiit tor duty the next day at 
Ivossviili" had hei-n hit and moix' or less ininreij. Anionu- the 
nunilti'r were (ieoruc W. iSatis and Tetei- Meiucr, of A: 
Ser^t. Thomas r>nridiam, William \\'a>>nii. dames Klmxh- 
and havitl !> Wood, ot' J> ; Serui . d(din S. WiHiani<. ..f I ). in 
hand and leu"; Ord. Serii't. Henry X. I'enlielil. ol' K. in left 
hand, and Seru't. daeoh Jewell, of F, eheek laiil open li\- the 
kiss ot' a minie: William I'orter. (d' F. strnid< in the haek 
l)y a hall that passed tlironi;-li his knajisatd-: and elothinu'. 
bniisinii' hut not hreakiii":; the skin ; Thomas Ijoiit/.enhisar, 
of ]*>, was kmx'ked down hy a hullet as 
fairly as it eould have heen done hy dohn 
C\ Ileemm, hut not seriously injured. 

Henry (i. Kussell, td" F. was wound- 
ed on the illst while tui the skirmish line 
in front of Mission Kidue, near liossvilh-. 
An ounce hall passed tlircniu-li his thiiidi 
and a huekshot lodii'ed au'ainst tlie hiuie. 
The Confederate who hit him evident^ 
used the old fashioned eartridiiX's, carrx - 
in_U- oiii' ball and three Innd^shot. The i "■-■'■" ^..,.. r on.v.m. 
skirmish line to the riii'lit ot'the lJ.')thhail hei-n driven iiaek : 
the enemy's skirmishers were passing- the flank of the li'ath's 
line when Russell was hit, and he was in dire peril of lieeom- 
iiiii' a prisoner, hut u'lgantie John Xorth grahhed him iiji and 
carried him haek to the reser\ c : others assisted in earr\"ini;" 
him to the to}* of the ridii;e, where a sipiad with a stretcher 
totdv charge of him ami started down the other side of the 
ridu'e to find an amhulaiice. < >n the way a shell lireij hy the 
enemy drop})ed near and ex[doiletl, killinii' om- and woundinii' 
TWO of the sti-etcher hearers, Kussi'll fallinu" to the u'round. 
w here he lay insensi])lo until [dcked up hy others and carrie<l 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



to ail ainbiilaiice. This old letter gives hi^ subsequent expe- 
rience up to two weeks before he rejoined the regiment in 
front of Atlanta, and will i-eniind many a comrade of like 
experiences : 

Camp Disstributiox, near Alexandria, Va, June 25, 1864. 

"S\\ Dear Captain: — Your letter has been received. I will give you 
a brief account of myself, as you request it, but I expect to see you veiy 
soon and take my place once more in the ranks of Comi)any F. 

When unloaded from the ambulance in Chattanooga, on the 21 st of 
last Scjvtenibcr, I was taken into a building calle(l the old Critchfield hotel, 

and witli others lay on the floor 
two days and two nights, without 
blankets, my shoes serving for a 
]iillow. liefore receiving medical at- 
tention. The surgeons were work- 
ing day and night but cared first 
for the cases most requiring atten- 
tion. ]\ry wound became so pain- 
ful that I made a desperate appeal 
to a Confederate surgeon, who 
heeded my cry of distress and had 
me carried to the amputating 
table, near which lay arms and 
legs recently cut off; Init I did not 
mind that as much as I would 
now. The surgeon found and re- 
moved a buckshot from my thigh ; 
the larger ball had cleared itself. 
]\Iy l)lue clothing was removed and 
tiicy put me into a cotton shirt 
and drawers furnished by the U.S. 
Christian Commission, and then 
laid me on the floor again, with 
my pants for a pillow. That din- 
ing room fl(»or must be of very 
hard wood. It hurts me now when I think of it. Two days later I was 
takt-n across the l)ridge to a hospital where things were more comfortable. 
A few days later I starti'd north, passing from one hospital on to the next 
after a short stay in each, landing at Camp Dennison January 1st, the coldest 
day I have yet experienced. About the middle of May had so far recovered 
that I V)egan to look for an order to return to the front, but General Order 
No. 21 from the Adjutant General transferredlme to Company H, 19tli Reg- 
iment Veteran Reserve Cori>s, then at Cai.ital Hill I'.arracks, Wasliington, 
D. C. 




Hknrv G. RrssEi.i,, F (1805) 



CIUCKAMAUCA— /.V( V/)/-:.V/'S. 



^3i 



Ilaviiiu: ii'i iMcaiiH of ivsistinjjT I went with utlins imw aid to tin- new 
LuiimiaiKi ami then scut an applifatiun tn the War ncpartincnt for n-- 
traiisfcr. Special Onh-r No. 3."», .luiic 14. grants tlio hooii.hm I liaM to conic 
licrc ainl waif until a sipiail of riuht nninhcr accinnnlatcs, when we will he 
forwanleil. Ymi iii;iy ex|>ect to see nie liefupe loiii:, not <piile as l'oihI as 
new, hut rcaily to ilu my part unto the enii. 

Sincerely yonrs. 

Kl xsKI.I.. 



( )iie of oiir \v;ii»;()iK'rs, .fames Moi-rison. ot"]), iiiid James 
1'. Ramsey, or^V, aetiiio- ;i> wagon niianl, narrowly i'scai"0(l 
capture on Sunday. Tliey were sent tVom Cliattanoooa with 
rations lor tlic l:i-')tli. reacliinu" ns at sunrise, and lia\inii' 
unloaded there was nothino; to jirevent their immediate 
I'etiirn. hut tile mules needed rest, the 
eommand went forward to relieve Xeglev. 
the Ijuttle opened, ami the hoys thoiiolit 
they ought to wait lor a load ot' wounded 
and so lingered until we mo\ed t^ th. 
left. Longstreet's eohimn hrid<e through, 
and snddeidy they found themstd\e- 
invohcd in a retreating throng, fiercely 
[tiirsm.'d. Thei'e was no tronhle ahout 
securing a load of woumh'd men then. 
Five hundred could have het-n loaded in i""' 
five minutes and only the lucky few could he taken, hut it 
was a serious (jucstion how they were to I'scapc. I'nder sm-h 
couditions wagiuiers have heeii know n to >ol\e the prohh-ni 
hy cutting traces ami riding oil'. Imt ours were not that kind. 
They Went along with the throng, through the thi(d<i't. try- 
ing to avoid trees, riding down the saitlings. w hen snddeidy 
Morrison found his wagon astride a snudl tre*-, over w Inch 
the mules were unahle to drag it. IJamsoy crawled under 
and cut off tilt.' tree with a didl hatchet while Morri-on 
held his mules, and fortune favoi-ed |iliuk. The ohstacle 
overcome they proceeded, luished in among the wriggling 
mass of vehicles hlockitig the gorge mar X'idito's, did jinii- 



* 


^S^^i^ 


'■ 




P^ 




1 - 


\ • 




i 


m^ 


1 



134 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



(;ions driving and went througli, while many of those having 
the advantage at the start were caught at last by the enemy. 
We saw but little of our own battery (6th O. L. A.) 
during the battle, as it could not follow our movements 
through thickets, but Harker, in his official report, showed 
it did good service, and complimented Capt. C^ullen Bradley 
for his skill in handlinu" it. 




SNoixiiiAss Ildrsi;. 



The 65th Ohio had a hard time getting away from 
Dyer's iield, the enemy haxing passed the flank before the 
6oth received orders to retire. Captain l*owell made special 
mention of Sergt. Maj. G. S. Pope, Color Sergeant Harlan 
and Orderly Sergeant Snider for efficient service. 

Captain Zeiglo', of the 64th Ohio, was killed on the 
second day. 



c'ji.\i"ri:K \iii. 

('II ATI. \N( »<>(.. \. 

I)iiriiii:- tlu' iiiulit III' Sf|itfiiilMT lil, 1S(;;5, tlu- Ariii\- of 
the ("niiil)(.'rl:iii(l was witlidiawii iVoiii \\\v liiu-s at l\«»s>ville 
to C'liattaii()(>i;a. Krar guards wvvv U-I't to lioM the ln'cast- 
woi'ks until attrr niidniulil. w lifii tlicv too silriitlv >tii|c a\\a\' 
aixl iiiai\-lK'(l after tlic iiiaiii Kody. 

At sunrise oil TiU'sday the I'llml. the entire eonnnand, 
exeejitinu' only tliose on outpost dnt\', were at work ujHin 
tortitieati<uis. 

The 12.')th ()liio eainped witli 
tiu' hrii^'acU' iii'ar, and iK-rt'ornu'd 
hd)or ujion. Fort \\'ond. I''iut Wood 
was on a conii-al hill at an elevation 
of ahout two hundred fi'et ahove tiie 
river, siiimted ahout one-halt' mile 

^oUtllea^t of town. 

The army could still muster 
over thirty thousand eifeetives. and 
had rations tor ten days and ammu- 
nition for two day's tiidd liu-hlinu". 

Koseerans wj's in possession of 
the jiri/.e for whicli I he ea'.ni>aii:"ii had heen un(h'rfakfn, Imt 
instead ot' usiui;- ( 'lial I anoo^-a as a hase from wjiich to |>ursue 
a diseouraii'i'd and retreatiiii:' toe, he was called upon t<» con- 
sider whether he could hold the place against the superior 
foiH'o of the enemy until rcintorcrmeiits and supplies couhl 
he hrouiz'ht up. The alternative was a disastrous retreat, hv 
which would lie lost not n\\\y the territory hut most of his 
army. 

Alter the tirst day there was no serious ajiprehension as 
to tlie ri'sult ot' a direct assault, and liy the >eeond niorniuii' 





T.vKF.N KKOM -TiiK National Military Park," by pkumission or tiii 
AiTHou, Gen. H. V. Bovxton. 



Cll.l riAXOOGA. 



a dirrct ;iss;iult was the oiic thiiit:- 1im|m'(1 torliiit not fX|n'it('<l. 
On tlu' I'ltli Mr. Ihiiia, Assistant Sofi-ctarv ot' Way. 
who was prt'scnt I<> olofi-vi- oinM-atinns, trlcLirai'lifl t'> \lr. 
iStantfUi : 

" Have iii> tiirtlicr •loiilti :tl)i>iit tliis |il:iri-. it wilt lii>l<i out. Iii<li-i-<|. it 
lias ii(»\v 1h'»'ii ina<if so stioii'j that it can mily l)c taken liy irj;iilar .sio^f. 
The lalmis id' tiiis aiiiiy fuf the ia.-^t f<>ity-fi;;Iit lioiiis have lici-n In-irnlfan." 

'K\\v ciifiny aiUaiictMl slowly, takiiiii" |ii»ss('s>i(.n ol" Mis- 
sionaiT Kiiluf atid tlif\-allc\ Itctwrcii tin- i-'kIl;''' ami Lookout 
Mountain. i»usliini:- tliuir out post- I'i'iw aid until tiny catiif m 
contact with oui- pickets. 

For a trw (lays tlicrr wa> sliai|i skii-ini-liint:" fV<>iii the 
ottbrts of the C'ontedeiates to estal»li>li 
theif out[tosts satisfaetorily. ('(un|>anies 
V ami (t of the l:2.')tli. on iiickel: in frtuit 
of Foi't Wood, liail a hot time to|- a lew 
houfs. 

( >n tiie J4tli the enemy took Jiosso- 
>ii>ii of Jjookotit .Moiiiitain. the small 
Union foivi' on the summit fetiiinu' he- 
fore the advance of the enemy liv ofdiT 
of (iem-ral Koseefaiis. lla\ini:' the moun- 
tain and Ihu- .•..mmandin- the fiver just n.M.'«»:N '•;..«•. n.kiuk. 

■ ' Kllli'it 111 -iiiin' Itivcr. 

heh>w the rii:ht of Koseei-ans" lines, they 

procet'(h'(| at lUiee to pieket the south i>ank tlu-iiee lo lli'idu'e- 
[»ort, thus eompelliny wa^cui trains to come troni Stevenson 
f'la .lasper. aeross the SeipiateJiie \ alley and W'aldeti - Ividijt.', 
a distant-e of si.xty of seventy mdes t'r<un the terminus of 
railroad facilities, and com[iletoly euttini; off I In' r,-.- ot the 
ri\i'r hy hoats. 

'I'he Army of the ('iimlierland was, then, in a >tate ot" 
scmi-sicii'e, the eneinys Jint's covering- all tin* roads leaditiu' 
east, south and southwest, the nntiintainons country to the 
northward heinii' useless as a source of sujijdies, the oidy 
chance to escajie starvation heiiii:- t«» keep the railway to 




138 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Xasliville workiiiii; and the diriiciilt wagon roads from Ste- 
venson open until the ai'riv^al of reinforcements. 

As soon as the exterior line of works was completed an 
interior line was laid out, intended to enahle a small force to 
liold the town while the main hod}' operated elsewhere, and 
tlje troops took regular turns at labor upon the new works. 
That, with picket duty and the ordinary camp duties, gave 
the men but little rest. The de})rivation of full rations was 
on that account more seriously felt. Half rations oidy were 
issued. Before long even that scanty 
su})[)ly became uncertain. On the nigiit 
of September 30, a Confederate cavalry 
force under GeneralWheeler, crossed the 
liver a few miles above Chattanooga and 
proceeded to raid the line of supplies, our 
own cavahw force lacing too weak to pre- 
vent his crossing or turn him from his 
]»urpose. He caught and destroyed a 
w agon ti-ain of two hundred and fifty or 
tlu'ce hun(h'ed wagons in the Sc(|uatchie 
Valley, and then, finding our troopers hot 
on his trail, i-ode on l)y way of Pikeville and McMinville 
to the line of railway l)etween Wartrace and Murfreesboro, 
where he broke up the track and destroyed bridges, and 
then made good his escape. 

The possession of Chattanooga was of great inii>ortaiice 
to the Union cause, both as a base for further advances and 
as the key to loyal East Tennessee. Energetic measures were 
adopted to make tiie [>rize secure. The withdrawal of Long- 
street's corps from Lee's army to reinforce J5ragg made a 
corres[»()nding transfer of troops from the Army of the 
JV)tomac pi-acticable, and the Eleventh and Twelfth Army 
Corps were sent from the Rapidan, the advance arriving at 
Stevenson, Ala., a distance of 1,192 miles in seven days. The 
force consisted of two divisions, about seven thousand men. 




l;i;i<T. GKiN. JJ. ii. CuUAiN 
Adjt. General of Oliio. 



CHAI'TAXOOGA. 



'39 



ill ilie Klevt'iitli Corps, coiiiiiiaiKlfd li_v (icii. ( >. ( ). lldwanl, 
and t\V(t (li\isii)iis ot' t lit' 'rwclt't li ( 'nips, alxnit ciiilit timii- 
saiid iiK'ii, (•(HiniiaiitU'd l»y (icii. JI. \V. Sloiiim : tlic ((iiiiliiiMd 
toi'ro iiiidoi" c'oiiiiiiaiitl ot" (lOiuTal Ilnid'Ccr. 

( ii'iici'al ll<'<d<rr's coiiiiiiaiid was at tir>t statii>ii.(l aloiiii' 
tlu' liiK- of railway, iiiakiiiu' it rcasoiialily ^cciiri' tVoin tiirtlu'r 
iiitt'iTujitioii. liut on atfoiiiit ot' liis wai:"ons ln-inu' U-li in \'ii-- 
U'inia it was sonn' time Itrt'orc liis t'orrc conld lir ux-d t'">r an 
jiirtrpessive niovi-nicnt. Mcantinu' rain>. niakinu' ii)ad> ilitli- 
c-ult, constant losses of nudes tVoni stai'vatioii and the enemy > 
slnirpsliocttei's, tlie destruction ot' waii^ons on tlie ronuh nionn- 
tain roads and tlie t'amislieil ci'inlition of tlie mnles still in 
service, comltinecl to make tlie (piestioii ot' siihsisteiiee at 
CMiattanoouii u very serions om- indei'd. 

(»ii Octolier l^tii Mr. I)ana wired to Mr. Stant<m : 



If a serious iittciii|)t siiniilil lir iikkIc tiy I'.raLrLT t<> march iiitu Kni- 
tueky, tlie Army uf the Cumlterland wnuld liiid itscll' in a very lulpless an<l 
ilanjrenius pusitinii ; tliat corn lunl liet-ii procurcil 
to furnish tlie nias.s of the animals about <juart( r 
rations, all that eouM he sent away liavin;: l>«'tii 
taken to Stevenson to be fed as Itest they mij,'ht ; 
that al)out two hundri'd and tifty luirses had <lied 
of starvation ; that there was on hand hut two days' 
rations for the tronjis, witii bad mountain mails to 
west base of Walden's Hid;re, and thence to l'>rid<.'(- 
l»ort the roads passed thr<>nj:h the Imttomsof the 
Setjuatchie and Teiinessi-e, where a little rain ren- 
dered tiiem im|>i:icticable. 

And ai^ain on OctolK-r l^tli Mr. 
!>ana wired: wu.i.iam i»k.nnis..n. 

• iovcriiiir (if Oliiii, istil. 
■■ Kain l)ej,'an again abinit midiii<:iit and still 

continues, but the barometer is rising an<l the wind lia.s shifted, s<> that we 

lu>{)e for the tinal cessation of the storm. Meanwhile our comlitiuii and 

prospects jrrow worse and worse. The mads are in such a state that wap>ns 

are eijiht ilays niakiuL' tin- journey from Stev«'ns(in to ("hattanonga. Though 

subsistence stores are so nearly exhausted hen-, the wagons are conij»eIK'd 

to throw overboard i)ortions of their i)recious cargo in onler to get through 

at all. A civilian who reacheil here last nii:ht stales that he saw fully live 

hundred teams (1500(1 mnles) halted li«'twcen the mountain and the river. 




14° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



without fora.ue for the animals and unable to move in any direction. I 
rode throuiih the camps here yesterday, and can testily that my previous 
reports respecting the starvation of the battery horses wei'e not exag- 
gerated. A few days more and most of them will be dead. General Smith 
says that as he passed among the men working on the fortifications yester- 
day, several shouted crackers at him." 

That report doubtless inspired the message from Gen- 
eral Grant to General Thomas, exhorting him to " hold out" 
to which Thomas replied : " We icill liohl out till ire sfarrey 

Mr. Dana's prediction as to the battery horses was ful- 
filled to the extent that, wlien the otfensive was resumed a 
month later, General Sherman had to fur- 
nish horses brought up with his force to 
move the artillery of the Army of the 
Cumljerlaud. 

In a few instances men attempted to 
})rocure more than their allowance of 
rations by rather sharp })ractice, in conse- 
([uence of which a general order was 
issued on October 27, directing that, while 
the command was on half rations com- 
missioned officers must go in person to 
purchase or send a written order and sign 
a certificate that the rations were necessary for their exclu- 
sive use. Tlie order was called out by hungry fellows pur- 
chasing in the name of some oificer, and when the latter 
applied he would be told that he iiad already received his 
allowance. 

Partial relief, to the extent of making half rations at 
least a t-crtainty, was by this time near at hand, but it would 
not be difiicult to procure tlie testimony of many survivors 
to the eft'ect that they never ceased to l)e hungry until after 
Bragg was defeated, late in Noveml)er. 

Things seldom get so bad that one cannot find some- 
thing to be thankful for if he tries, and we could congratu- 
late ourselves on being free from one of the conditions 




David Tod, 
■CJoveruor of Ohio, 1862-(i3 



C//AT'J'.l\00(;.l. 



141 



usiiiillv attciiiliiii:' riosf (Miiitact <it' li<i>tili' I'lii-ct's. 'I'IhTc was 
8ol<l<iiii an cxcliaiii;"*' ot" sliots lu-lw't-cii tln' |iifki'ts. 'I'lic 
pickets as a rule dcciipii'd pits diiu- 'm the liTdiind, the liiit-.s 
bc'iiiiT wit liiii liailiiiii' tlistaiHc almost rvcrywlicrc. ainl at sonic 
points near ciiouii-li to carrv on conx cisalinn atiu-s the 
interval. Our side had I'atlicr tin- \vorst <d' il in tlir talk, 
l)cinu' taunted l>y allusions to lack of rations, ami of fucl^ 
tobacco, etc. Kor a time tlu-rc was occasional meetings 
between the lines lor a little talk and the c\clianu"c dI" news- 
papcis. (U" of real coHee (used once and diic<l) for i-aw 
t(d)acco, hut the [U'actice was soon discoxcred and stfietly 
probihited. 

TluTe was occasional artillery lirin^- from Ltxdcout 
Mountain and Mission liidii'e, responded to Ijy our own .icuns, 
but as the distances were a little too great foi- the guns ot 
tliose (biys, little damage was done. It 
was uneomfortahle t(» contem[ilate the 
possil)ility of a l>ig siiell bitting out-'s 
sbanty, for they did land in tlie camps, 
l)Ut so seldom did mi><lii<'f tliat no one 
h)st sleep on that account. 

The severe losses in battle ha<l tlc- 
pleted tbe regiments until tew lu'igades 
ecjUiillcd a full regiment, and a reorgani- 
zation was ordered Octohei' M, by wbiidi 
tbe li-oo|is serving in the three army c<»rps 
and jiart of the resei've corps were con- 
soTnlated into two cor[is, tbe Foui-tc*'nth Corps retaining its 
lunnber and cc»nnnander (Thomas), while tlie Twcntietb and 
Twenty-first Corps weri' discontinue(b the comnnimbu's (Mc- 
Cook and Crittemlen) reliexed. and a new corp> formed, 
desigmited tlu' Fourth, (u'li. Gordtui (J ranger iieing assigned 
to command it. By tiiat oi-dei' the four I'egiments of our old 
briga<le were transferred from Woods division to Sheridan's^ 
and witb Ww additional reuiments constituted tlu- Third 




.lolis Kl: M. 

• .uvcniur Ml Ohio. InM. 



142 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Brigade, Second iJivisioii, Fourth Army Corps. Harker 
remained in command of the brigade, the regiments being 
the 3rd Kentucky, 64th, 65th and 125th Ohio, and 22nd, 
27th, 42nd, 51st and 79th Illinois. 

Our camp was removed to the appropriate [)Osition in 
Sheridan's part of the line, and we thereafter did picket 
duty on the new front, facing towards Rossville. 

At tlie old camp the line officers of the I'egiment liad a 
shanty adjoining the Colonel's, and at the new location were 
fortunate in finding a house (Mrs. Kelly's) with a fireplace 
on the outside, against which the shanty was re-erected. 
Mrs. Kelly subsequently removed, to a more peaceful locality 
probably, and with her consent the use of the house was 
given to part of the men after cold weather set in, and was 
very acceptable indeed to those short of 
Ijlankets and underwear. 

On October 13 the Ohio troops enti- 
tled to vote held an election, voting 
almost unanimouslv for Jolm Brough for 
Governor. The \'ote in the 125th was 
132 foi' Brough and 2 for ^ alhindigham. 
On October 18, at Louisville, Ky., 
Secretary Stanton handed to General 
Grant an order of President Lincoln, 
creating the Military District of tlie Mis- 
sissippi, compHsing the three departments of the Tennessee, 
Ohio and the Cumberland, and assigning General Grant to 
the chief command. On the same date General Grant issued 
orders assigning General Sherman to command the Army 
and Deparment of the Tennessee and General Thomas to 
command the Army and Department of the Cumberland, 
General Uosecrans being I'elieved. Genei'al Burnside re- 
mained in command of the Department of the Ohio, Gen- 
eral Palmer succeeded Thomas in command of the Fourteenth 
Corps and Gen. D. S. Stanley succeeded l^almer in command 




Wii.i.i.ur II. Ki:a(.h, J'\ 



ClfATTAXOOi'.A. 



'43 



of tlu' First l>i\isi(iii df tlic l^'oiirtli ('orps. Tlic iTinoval of 
Rosecraiis had not l)t,'t_'ii aiit'n'ipatctl cxccjit li\- tin- olHri-rs of 
higlicr rank, luit iIk' new i-onimamlci-s were nnivi-rsallv 
uvH'Cjitalilc lo tlu- rank aiul lili'. 

(Jcncral (Jrant met iJoscci-ans ami lloukrrat Xaslivillc 
on ()ctol)i'i- Jl. Icai-ncil their \ic\vs ot' the ( "hat tai.o(iu-;i 
jifohU'in and then hnrric(l on to ( "hattanooija. Ilr t'oiind 
tliat (uMicral Thomas, immcdiatrlv attt'i* assuming t-onimand, 
hatl oi(h'r('(l the concriil ratn)n of (Jcneral llookor's forces at 
nrid>:fi>ort. inTparalorv to an clfort to rc'i*o\cr the ri\cr and 
main waii'oii road trom JJridii'cport 
to Urown's Kerry, immediately l»e- 
h'W Lonkont Mountain. 

( )n the 24th (irant. in company 
with Th(»mas and (icn. \V. K.Smith. 
Chief l^n«''inecr. nnnh- a ri'connois- 
sancc of l)ro\vn"s I'V'i-ry and the hil!> 
on the south siiK- of the i-i\-er and 
at the mouth of Lookout \'aliey. 

Tile |ilan tiieu adojited was tor 
lIo(d<er to ei'oss at J>ridi!:e}iort . with 
all the force that could he spared 
from the railroad, and advance l.y -'""^ '- "'^^■'■'^' '•' 

way of W'liitesido to W'auhatchie in I kout ValK'v; the 

l*'irsi l)ivision ot' the Kourth Corp.s to march on the uortli 
side of the river to a point ojiposite Whitesi(K's, »deven miles 
west of W'auhatchie. there to i-ross and hold the I'oad passed 
<»vei' hy Hooker, and in the meantime a forci' undci- (ieneral 
Smith's direction to he thrown acr(»ss at J^rown's Kerry to 
sie/e the ranu't' <'f hills at the im)uth of L<iokout Valley cov- 
ering;- the l*>rown"s Kerry road. ( )rders were issued and the 
plan executed successtully. (u-neial J looker crossed with 
tlie Kleventli C'ori)s (two di\isions. ahout six thousand men) 
and pai't of C4eary's division ot' the Twelfth ('orps (ahout 
fifteen humlred men), and on the c\-cnini:- "f the I'Tth 




144 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



reported Howard's advance at Whitesides, the balance of the 
Eleventh Corps on Rnnning Water Creek and Geary at 
Shellmonnd, all ordered to march again at snnrise. 

Before sunset on the 28th Geary was at Wanhatchie and 
Howard to the left near Brown's Ferry. 

General Smith liad carried out his part of the program 
before Hooker's arrival. Tlie troops assigned to him were 
Hazen's and Turcliin's brigades of Wood's division (4000 
men). Hazen was ordered to organize a force to float down 
in pontoons, distance nine miles by river 
three miles by land, and to eftect a land- 
ing at or near the ferry, when the remain- 
der of the force was to be rowed across and 
the boats then used to lay a bridge. Tiiere 
were iifty-two pontoons, each carrying 
a crew of one corporal and four oarsmen, 
and a landing party of twenty four men 
and one officer, the entire force being 
about sixteen hundred men. They start- 
SERGT. JOHN WAEMAN, F. gj at 3 A. M. ou thc 27th, keeping close to 
the right bank. Finding that the current would carry them 
down before daylight, they floated quietly until opposite the 
landing, where they rowed across, and then for the first time 
attracted the attention of the Confederate pickets lining tlie 
left bank. The men jumped ashore and pushed on rapidly, 
gaining the hills after a sharp contest, the losses being 
reported by Hazen as five killed, twenty-one wounded and 
nine missing. By 1 o'clock the remainder of the force was 
over and tlie bridge laid. The positions taken by the troops 
were so strong that they could not have been dislodged 
except by a vastly superior force. 

When Hooker advanced the next day General Long- 
street watched his march from the top of Lookout, but was 
unable to resist it because he could only pass troops over by 
the road around the northern end, which was completely 




XKilfT A TTACK A T ll'A ( HA l\ HIE. 



'45 



CoiniiiainU'(l 1)V the luittcrii's on Mocfasin roint. lie. huw- 
evor ()l)S(.'i'V(.'(l tlic Iticatidii of (iearys (•oiuinaiiil al a ili--lance 
of two or tlii'tH' mill's troni 1 lowanls rin'lit. and (IcchIlmI to 
pass a t'orcc o\it uikUt con it of (lai'kiioss and try to surjinsc 
Geary by a iiiu'lit attack, liojiiiiii- to i-(»iit ami (ln\f him l»ack 
uiK)n Howard, and possihly to throw the hitter into contiisioM 
and ii'ain a suhstaiitial virtory. 

Tlie attack on Goary was matk- shortly atk-r midninht, 
but the latter was [trrparcd for it. and ha\ iny," a strong itosi- 
tion manafi^ed to hold it until reinforctMl hy llowai-d. wln-n 
Longstroet's men retired. 

The rattle of musketry, soundinu- mueh louder at niuht 
than in tlie daytime, hrouu'ht evei'V man in ( 'hattaiioou'a out 
of his blanket, ami all waited anxiously 
foi' intelligenee of th<} result. 

IJy those operations Hooker's toio 
was brought within supporting distance, 
and the question of subsistence was set- 
tled, thougli from tlie failure of the rail- 
way to get supplies down fast enougli. 
and tlie necessity of accumulating enough 
to provide against contingencies, the 
troops were not over-fed by any means. 

General Grant, in his otficial rep»»rt, 
said that "the capacity of the raili-oad 

and steamboats was not suliicient, however, to supply all the 
wants of the army,l)Ut aetual suffering was [U'evented." He 
also said : 



f 






/^ ^^ 




^:,il 




^^ ■ 


^Tr ■ 


', 


V 




V 


'j|!;';> 


'1^ " 



Lieut. GoiHTiil, <". S. A. 



"The artillery horses and mules had liecome so reduced by starvation 
that they eould not have been relied on for moving anything'. An attempt 
at retreat must have lx>en with men alone, and with only such sui)i)lies as 
they could carry. A retreat would have been almost certain annihilation, 
for the enemy, occupying: positions within jrunshot of and overlo<ikini: our 
very fortitications, woul<l uniiuestionably have inirsueil our retrt-atiuir forces. 
Already more than ten thousand animals had perished in supplyim: half 
rations to the tnxips l>y the louLr and tedious route ovi'r Waldeii's Kid;.'e. 



146 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



They could not have Ijeen i^uiipUed another week. * * * By the use of 
two steamboats, onejjf which had been left at Chattanooga by tlie enemy 
and fell into our hands, and one that had been built by us at Bridgeport, 
plying between Bridgeport and Kelly's Ferry, we were enabled to obtain 
supplies with but eight miles of wagoniny." 

From the moment Bragg lost control of the river up to 
Brown's Feri-y, all chance for him to recover Chattanooga 

was gone. Feeling secure, 
however, in the strength of 
his position on Missionary 
Ilidge and Lookout M(jun- 
tain, he resolved to detach 
Longstreet with a force of 
20,000 meu to overwhelm 
Burnside and recover Knox- 
ville and the railroad thence 
to Richmond. 

Grant at once gave di- 
rections for a movement 
against Missionary Ridge, 
lioping to carry it and thus 
threaten Bragg's communi- 
cations with Longstreet and 
compel tlie latter's return, 
but after full examimition of 
the ground concluded it was 
impracticahle to move before bringing Sherman forward. 

The lattei" had brought his troops to Mem}>his by boat 
and was marching across. lie was advised of Longstreet's 
move and urged to make haste ; l)ut it was anotlier month 
before he did arrive. 

The losses of tlie 125th Ohio for the months of Septem- 
l)er and October, 1808, in addition to the casualties in the 
l)attle of Cliickamauga, which liave been noted, were as 
follows : 




('. I.Aiw ^ iri'iK (in.i'.KiiT, D n>i'.'"i|. 



CIIA'1T.\.\00(;.\. 



147 



I>v (K'atli — (Jt'oi'u'i' StroMc, <>!' IS. ;ii Louisville, |\v., 
iiitfrrcil ill (";i\r Hill ( 'mu'trry. Section 15. liow Iti, ( ; r;iv«' 
17: .loliii W. I'l'WiTs. of (", and William Sheiianl, of M, at 
( 'liattaiiooiia ; .lo,->e|tli II. S[ierry, ot" F, in aiiilnilaiiee near 
\\ aiiliiiti'liio, iiitorrc'd at ( 'hattaiiooya, Seetion 1., <iia\f :1!M> ; 
.lac<il» Ilouswt'itt, dt" 1, at Louisxille. Ky.. iiitcrreil in S.etion 
r>. Row It;, (Jravt' lii. Cave Jlill CV'iiK'trry. 

Lieutenant 1 1 uinjtlii-ey, of F, resii:;iu'(l Oiloher ti, and 
the toilowiiiii" e()inrade> were diseliai'u'ed on suryeon's eertili- 
eate of disability : Henry 15. (Jildai'd aii<l Seth F. Mo>e-, (d' 
1> ; Matthias Phisteri-i\ of F; Isaae S. Stephens, of (J; 
Fayette (\ Hood and Serut. Koswell Wehster, of H. Tians- 
ferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps: William W. Smith and 
Wasliington Jones, of 15 : 'riiiman 
I)orden,of C: Kvan C. Moiri>. of j); 
Claiuh' (Mere and .\Lirioii Woodriitf. 
of F : William Asth\ d(.hii F. I'.nn 
and Seiiit. William Stonii;liton, of 11. 

()n Xovend)er 2 the ration> 
Were inereased tVom one-half to 
two-thirds the re>;-nlar allowance. 

On the l<>th. Company 1 arri\cil 
from <)liio with three oHicer> and 
oiii'hty men, who wei'e most heartily 
weleoined to the ranks of the lL'-")tli 
and a fnll share of short I'ations and 
arduous duties. The com[iaiiy had heeii recruited uiiiler the 
direction of Lieutenant C<donel Moore, who remained in 
Ohio to eouqilete the organization of Comiiaiiy k'. The 
l>rospect for us to heeonie a teii-ooiiii>ajiy retriiiieiit was ^-ood. 
The otticers of Company f were Ca}>t. A(piila CooiiroiL First 
Lieut. Horace Welch and Second T/ieut. Si-ahury .\. Smith, 
wdio was ju'oinoted from Serireant Major. The new company 
had hut a few (hiys in wdiich to ijet accustomed to life at the 
front and picket duty within talkiiiu" distance of the enemy 
before beiny; tested in battle. 




.lollN W |',,VM |>, 



148 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY KIDGE. 



General Ilalleck, in bis report to the Secretary of War, 
said : 

" Considering the strength of the rebel position, and the diffieulty of 
storming his intrenchments, the battle of Cliattanooga must l)e regarded as 
one of the most re)narkat>le in history." 

Hooker's men scalino- the slopes of Lookout Mountain 
from the valley of Lookout Creek, passing up beneath the 
•clouds which concealed them from view of their comrades in 
front of Chattanooga, the flashes of their guns alone reveal- 
ing their progress, and the long struggle, 
extending far into tlie night, resulting at 
last in complete success, was indeed a 
remarkable military achievement; while 
the storming of Missionary Ridge on the 
next day was an entirely unpi-ecedented 
feat ot arms, not merely because the 
troops scaled the heights and carried 
works regarded as impregnable, but be- 
cause it was not intended they should 
make the attempt. Mr. Dana, who wit- 
nessed the assault, telegraphed the Secretary of War : 




"The storming of the ridge by our troops was one of tlie greatest 
miracles in military history. No man who climbs the ascent by any of the 
roads that wind along its front can believe that 18,000 men were moved up 
its broken and crumbling face, unless it was his fortune to witness the deed. 
It seems as awful as a visible interposition of God. Neither Grant nor 
Thomas intended it. Their orders were to carry the rifle pits along the base 
of the ridge and capture their occupants, but wlien this was accomplished the 
unaccountable spirit of the troops bore them Iwdily u}i tliose imprat'ticable 
steeps over the bristling rifle pits on the crest and the thirty cannon entilad- 
ing every gully. The order to storm appears to have been given simulta- 
neously by Generals Sheridan and Wood, because the men were not to be 
held back, dangerous as the attempt appeai'ed to mihtaiy prudence. Be- 
sides, tlie generals had caught the inspiration of tlie men, and were ready 
themselves to undertake impossibilities." 



BArriJ-S AT CHATJAXOOGA. 



•49 



(ii'iuTal (iraiits iiitoiit'K>ii was tor the a»aiiltiiiii' (•(iliiiiiii 
to eaii'v till- works at the l)asc', hy whicli tiiiic lie liopi-d tliat 
Ilookrr would apiK'ar on the tiu'iiiy"> tiaiik ami rtar. wjicii 
the roMihiiietl ett'oi'ts ol' liotli ic iliinin^ wdiiM make siu-cess 
pfohahle. The rank and lilf. however, did not know that 
Hooker was fXprctiMl, and ilid know that (Jcm-ral (Jraiit 
an<l all other loyal men wanted ilrai^'i:" > army f.\|)cllt'(l iVcni 
th(»sc h(.'it>-lits. and naturally 
interred that tiiat they were 
to a('eomiili>li t he w i irk. 

The 12.3th was a part 
cif the assaiiltiiii;' eoluinn at 
Missionary ividii'c, and. ot" 
eoiirse, did not partieipate 
in iro(d<er"s hat tie ahove tlie 
rlomls or in Slu'i'mans hard 
striio^ffle on tlu' left, hut as 
all the operations were 
nL'ci.'s>;iry to surci'ss. and 
Hooker and Shernnm were 
eoinniandcrs, respei'tively,ol' 
the riii'ht and lett winirs. 
while we umler Thomas 
iield the eenter, it is ntn-es- 
sary to descrihe all the 
movements in a general w ay 
in order tliat tlie part taken hy any j^articular rei;-iment Uiay 
he understood and properly appreeiati'd. 

From the hills horderinii" the north l»aid< ot" the Tcm-s- 
see, Grant had diseovei-ed tliat the north I'ud ot" Missionr.iy 
Ividge was not lu'ld hy a lari^e foree, ami that the north side 
of the rive-r opposite was pi(kete(l l)y a >mall eavalry lorce. 
That eireiimstanee, adtled to iiis desire to cut eommuni- 
eations between l>rag!ji,' and Loiiii-street and he in position 
after the l»attle to relieve Burnside at Knox\ille, deternnned 




\\ II 1,1 AM ( ■ vi:kv 111 NT» I InTII' 



15° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the plan of battle, which was to demonstrate on the extreme 
right, wliile passiiii>- Sherman heliind the covering hills to the 
extreme left, where a crossing was to be effected by strategy 
similar to that used at Brown's Ferry, when the attack would 
be made by Sherman at the north end of the ridge, sup- 
ported by Thomas, who was to move out of the works and 
effect a junction. Pontoons for bridges had been con- 
structed and placed in a creek which enters the Tennessee 
from the north side a few miles above. 

Oi)erations of such magnitude are seldom if ever con- 
(Uicted without vexatious delays and 
unlooked for mishaps; and, as a 
general rule, are still further eml)ar- 
rassed by want of skill or energy on 
the part of subordinates. In this 
instance Sherman's troops, marching 
from Bridgeport b}' way of Wliite- 
sides and Brown's Ferr}', were de- 
layed by rain making the roads 
impassable, compelling him finally to 
leave his trains and pusli on with 
men and artillery, and also bj' the 
enemy taking advantage of the high 
water and a strong current to send down rafts, by wliich the 
pontoon bridges were broken ; but there was no lack of skill 
or energy on the part of anyone, and the crossing, though 
delayed, was successfully accomplished. 

Shcniian's leading di\ision had marclied to Trenton for 
the |)urpose of creating an impression that Bragg's ])Osition 
was to l)e turned again in the same way Roseerans turned it 
in September. That division rejoined by way of Wauhatchie, 
but the delays gave the enemy am}»le time to investigate and 
see through the ruse. 

On Sunday, November 22, Howard's cor])S of Hooker's 
command crossed at Brown's Ferry and marched direct to 




Lieut. IIouack Wkixh (ISGi)- 



BAll'LES .rr CIlATlAXOOiiA. 



Cliattanooii'a, takiiiii" a positioii inside the \\i>i-ks in jihiin 
view of the enemy, who siu-nalU'il tVoin Lookout Mountain 
to liragii's hea(h[uai'tei".s that a hiriic t'orec, tliouii:ht to lie an 
army eorps^, had entered ('liattanot)i:a. It is jn-ohalih' that 
the Cojitederates tli()ni<:ht Howard's ti-oops to \n- those ot 
Sherman, whose march tVom IJi-idi^'ejiort eoidd he (diserved 
until they pas;>c'd hcdiind the hills alter crossinu- at IJrown's 
Ferry. At all evi'iits, Siu'rinans intention to t-tteet a cross- 
ing above the town does not ajipear to ha\e heen anticipated. 
Indeed, Brao^g seems to have thouglit Sherman's nio\i'meiit 
more likely to l)e with a view to reint'orcinu- Ihirnside. and to 
have entertained no tear of his ahility to hold his own 
stronu" jiositioiis, toi- he had sent two adilitional di\isions to 
reinforee Loniistreet. one of which 
was recalled when the movements on 
the 23rd were made. 

On Monday, Xovemher lI-I, 
Sherman's third division reached its 
j)Osition, tlu' fourth (Osterhaus) licinu' 
(U'tained on the south sidi- hy an- 
otlier hri'ak in the hridu'e at JJrown's 
Ferry. Brig. (Jen. (Jiles A. Smitlis 
brigade was sent to the pontoons to 
be end>arkc(l at midniLiht ami lloat 
down. (ien. deti'. C. l)a\is" division 
of the Fourteenth Corps, which iiad 
been picketing the rixii- ahovi' Chattanooga, had l>een con- 
eentrate<l, and (General l)a\is wa> ordere<l to rejiort to 
Shernuin. Osterhaus was ordered to come forward if it was 
fi)und jiossihle to efi'eet a crossing in the iiight. otheiwise to 
report to Hooker, in which case Hooker was orderi-d to turn 
his rceonnoisanee of Lookout Mountain, (U'dere<l for tiie next 
morning, into a determined assault if found practicable. 
Two brigades of the First ])ivision. Fourth Corps, being on 



p t;^ 




Jp^ 




^^- 





HUIii. (iKN. H. V. UdVNTo.N. 

(Coloiu'l. :f<lli O. V. I.) 



152 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



tlie river below Brown's Ferry, were ordered to report to 
Hooker. 

On the 20th General Bragg had sent in a note request- 
iiii>; the removal of non-combatants from Chattanoog-a, and 
on Snnday night (22nd) two deserters came in and reported 
that Bragg was retreating. They were truthful but mis- 
taken, having observed the march of the two divisions sent 
to Longstreet and not understanding the movement. The 
reception of the note and the report of the deserters led 
General Grant to fear that Bragg might design slipping 
away, either to escape battle or to follow Longstreet and 
push for Kentucky, and he ordered Thomas to move out and 
force Braffg to develop his lines. Thomas ordered Gransrer 
to throw one division forward in the direction of Orchard 
Knob, with a second division in supporting distance, and 

stating that Howard and Baird 
would be ready to co-operate if 
needed. 

That order brought the 125th 
Ohio into the initial movement. The 
troops in Chattanooga had been in 
readiness to move for two days, but 
it is doubtful if any man in the ranks 
had the slightest suspicion when he 
fell into line a little after noon that 
an otiensive movement was contem- 
plated. 

Wood's division was ordered to 
advance, supported l)y Sheridan. The troops fell in as if for 
parade, without blankets or knapsacks, flags unfurled, drums 
beating. As the battalions moved into position in \\\\\\\ 
view from Lookout Mountain and Missiomir}' Ridge, the 
Confederate pickets sat on the edge of their rifle pits enjoying 
the show, never dreaming that they were interested other- 
wise than as spectators of the imposing array. Then, over 




0>l.. N. H. \V.\l.\\(iKTll. IJn.l 111-. 



ORCIIARn KXOn I'.IKEX 



'53: 



ill tin- <lii\'cti<)ii lit" Fdi't \\'(«<.(1, a liiinK- soinnk-il " aiKaiK-e,'' 
aiul instant Iv tin- iiraceriil jiau'cant clianu'i'"! to tiic t i-ai:'cilv of 
liattlo. With a slioiit tin; skii-mislicrs ran forward, IoINiwimI 
l)y the lines marchiiii:- in ([uick time. Down went the Con- 
federates into tlicir pits and oi)ened tire. The di>taii<H' from 
Fort Wood to ()rrharil Kiioh was a litth' o\cr on*- mile. 
Hxteiidiiiii" from the kiioh to the rii^lit and lift the cm-my 
had ritk- j>its, into wliidi tiieir }>ieket ri'Si-rv fs, ami jtossihij 
other troo[ts near at hand, were thrown ami maiU- a vitroroiis 
hill hojieless resistance. WilliflTs liriu'adr of Wood's di\ision 
ad\anee(l directly on the Kiioh, and, 
as ri'i)orted i)V General Wood, "hy a 
hold Imrst asc^'mU'il its sterji aedix'- 
ity, ci'owiu'il its summit and it was 
ours." A few minutes later lla/en's 
briifade, on Willichs riiiht. carrliMl 
the lines on their front, Ilazen's 
front line, 41st Ohio and :t:5rd Ohio 
under immediate eonimand of dd. 
Ai|uihi Wiley, ("Hitiirinii' the listh 
Alahama Infant i-y almost entire, 
with its colors, and sutreriiiu" the loss 
of oiie-t'ourth their own nnmher in 
rlie short hand lo hand contest for the ritle pit>. Major 
JJireh, of the I'^rd Ohio, fell thert". .Vt the same time (ieiu 
S. Beatty's brigade of Wood's division eame tiit on Willieirs 
left, meeting less resistance. 

[Sheridan's orders were for him to supiiort Wood, ami 
{U'eveiit his tiank from bcinu' turned by an ailvaiiee ot the 
eiiemv on Moore"> road and from the direction of Uossville. 
Wau'iiers brigade torined on the northern end. and Hacker's- 
on the southern slojtc of Ibishy l\iiob. with Shermans l>rig- 
ade in reserxe. 

Two batteries (j'.attery (J, 4tli V . S., and I'.attery 1. 1st 
O. L. A.), under Major Oslxu-n, of the Kleveiith Army ("orjis^ 




< III. W. tl. V..1N.;, •.•(ilh Ohii 



^54 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Avere placed one on JBusliy Knob, the other in a small lunette 
ju^t behind the picket line. When Hazen passed Wagner's 
Hank in the advance, the latter advanced en echeloi)^ and at 
the proper interval Harker also advanced en echelon, the 
skirmishers of both brigades encountering those of the 
enemy and driving them in. 

The two brigades were advanced to a low ridge, where 
they were halted, and constructed a line of riiie pits. After 
dark Wagner' brigade was again advanced nearer to Wood, 
and one of the batteries moved over to tlie left to make 
Wood's right iiank more secure. Shernuurs brigade of 
Slieridan's division had advanced about 
six hundred yards, where it remained dur- 
ing the night. General Grant directed 
Orchard Knob to be held, and Howard 
was sent to cover Wood's left li^ink. 
Howard advanced his two divisions and 
drove the enemy's skirmishers across the 
^\estern fork of Citico Creek, holding the 
line gained during the night. Baird's 
division of the Fourteenth Corps liad 
formed to the right of Sheridan, between 
the llossville and Moore's roads, with orders to strongly 
threaten attack, but to avoid becoming seriously engaged, 
and his troops bivouacked in that position. One brigade of 
Johnson's division was on picket still farther to the right, 
and the other two brigades occupied the lines within the 
fortitications previously lield by his own and Baird's divisions. 
The casualties on the 23rd, outside of Hazen's brigade, 
were remarkably light for the work done, Slieridan made 
no separate report, and Howard reported four killed and 
thirty-two wounded. 

A detail from the 12yth Ohio was on picket during the 
night facing a ])icket line of the enemy, near enough to have 
■carried on conversation, every word spoken al)Ove a whisper 





J.<7^^ 






j^^ 




\^> 


^ 


rji^ 




^H^^ 


^ 




'^^^-^md 



y\\\ (il N iNo M < "U^I 



.sv/AVvM/. /.\' CA'os.\7X(; ////■: 7/:.\\/-:ss/:/: 



oil eitluT liiii' l)riiii:- plainly lit'iird across tlio iii!cr\al. Souk- 
of CV)iiii)aiiy r> iiicii touinl til fill selves \-io\viiii:- ariiictl rebels 
at sliort I'aiiii'f tor tlir first time. At dayliu'lit Imtli lines 
rctirrd (juietly to a nioi'e res[ieett'iil distance, an<l ours was 
relieved and retui-neil to the ri'ifinient. The reuinient was in 
a position allordint:' a jilain \-iew ot" Lookout, and. as one of 
tlie l)oys remarked, had front seals in the jtaniuette tor doe 
Ifookei'*s ijreat aet. 

(ieneral Shernum's movement to etiect a crossinu' ahove 
the enemy's riuht heiiaii at midniudit. (-Jih-s A. Smith's 
brigade manned the pontoons, li!0 in nundnr. one otticer, 
five oarsmen and twenty-live armed men in each hont, and 
■floated silently out to the Tennessee and down that sti-eani. 
crossinu" at a desio-nated point ahow t lie mouth of the ("hiek- 
amauga, wlu-re two regiments landed, and moving ((uietly 
down captui'ed all the Confederate picdvcts hut mu'. Mean- 
time the tlotilla dropped down lielow the mouth. laiidiMl tlu- 
oilier regiments and at oiiee mwi'd to the mu'th shore for 
another loath It was then l':-"'.<I a. M., 
Novi-mher 1*4. I'.y daylight s. ()()(» men. 
two divi>ions, wert' on the >oiitli hank 
and eo\-ered hy a strong ritle trench, ami 
the hi'idges wiM'e heglin, one across the 
Tennessee, l,:').")!) feet, and the otlii'r across 
the Chickamauga. 13otli wi-re eomi>K'te 
at noon. Meantinu^ Hooker's advance on 
the right and the mist altout Lookout 
enahled the steamhoat •• l)unhar"" to run 
uj) to Chattanooga, wheie it was used to 

carry some of Sherman s horses across, to he used in moviiiii' 
Thomas" artilU'ry. anil then jii'oeecdcd to the mouth ot" 
Chiekaniaiiga Creek with a haige in tow. and there feiried 
General Ewing's di\ision across while the hi-idges were heing 
laid. .letf. C. Davis' di\isioii crossed on the hridi:e. 




156 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



At 1> A. .M. General Howard, under orders from Thomas, 
began a moven:ient to open communications with Slierman 
on the south side. Col. Orland Smith, commanding Second 
Brigade, Second Division, Eleventh Army Corps, was ordered 
to clear out the enemy's skirmishers from ritle pits near the 
lett tlank, and he sent his own regiment, the 73rd Ohio, 
Maj. Samuel H. Hurst commanding, to accomplish the task. 
Major Hurst crossed the Citico and advanced his regiment 
under a severe fire, but so rapidly that his men were in the 
works before all of the enemy's force could escape, and thirty 
were captured. The 73rd tlien held the pits, serving as a 
cover for the next move. Bushbeck's brigade then passed 

to tlie left of Smith and marched up 
to Sherman's right. 

About the middle of the after- 
noon Sherman advanced one brigade 
of each division, gaining the top of 
the hills, when they discovered that 
they were detaclied hills only, while 
the enemy was intrenched on the 
continuous ridge l)eyond, ready to 
dispute further pi'ogress. 

About 4 p. M., while Sherman's 
men were busy constructing trenches 
to make their position secure, the 
enemy attacked, and quite a sharp engagement ensued with 
artillery and musketry, in whicli Brig. Gen. Giles A. Smith 
was severely wounded. By dark all of Sherman's troops 
were in ])()sitions assigned, and were undisturbed during the 
night. 

L( )()K()l^T MOrJsTAIN. 

General Hooker's orders for ISTovember 24th were to 
take Osterhaus' division (First Division, Fifteenth Corps), 
Geary's division (Second Division, Twelfth Corps) and Staii- 




Ol:li. Si;i;i,T. .Iamks 1!. .Mi ii;i;is, A. 



I 



/i.i7'7/./: OF i.ooKorr Morx r.ux. 



'57 



ley's l>i\isi(iii (Fii-st l)i\i>iiiii, Foiii'tli ("(irp>). coiiiinaiKlfd 
tempi >i'aill_v l»y I>fiu\ (ieii. Cliai'les ("i-ut't, ami make a stroiii:' 
deinoiistration on the Wfstrrii s1()[k' oI" Lookout Mountain 
for the pufjiose of attfaetiiii;' the enemy's attention away 
IVom Sherman's mo\cment. and, it' he discovered the enemy's 
position an<l strenutli would justity an attfiiipt to carry the 
northeiMi point ot' the moiitain, to do >o. Adilr.ssed to 
Joseph Hooker that was e(|uivaK'nt to an ordei' to charu'c. 
By 4 A. M. his troops were in position. It should he stateil 
that only two iu'iuadcs cd' ea(di ot the tlii-ce divisions were 
present. It is woi-thy of m)te also that the three divisions 
rejtresented thrci- ai'mies, the Tennessee, Potomac and Cum- 
bei'land, C)sterliaus havinu' Just arri\ed l'r(Un the IViu' r>laek 
I\iver neai' \'icksl)ui'i;'. and (Jeary recently from the Kajpidan 
in \ irginia. 

Fimlini:' J^ookout Creek so 
nuudi sw(dlen as to l)e impassahle. 
Hooker sent Geary's division, sup- 
})orted hy Whi taker's ])rii!^ade (d" 
Cruft's division, to cross at AVau- 
hatehie ami work down the rii^dit 
bank, while Osterhaus faced the 
enemy's trenches across the stream, 
ready to throw hridg-es across at the 
first tavorahle opportunity. (iri>se"s 
briu'ade of Ci'uft's division was or- 
dered forward near the railway. 

All the movements were facilitated l)y the lieavy mist 
lianii'iiiir ovi'f the mountain, wliicli enal)led (icary to cross 
and form at liiiht anules to the enemy's line of trenches on 
tlie creek without attractinic attention, (ieaiw then advanced 
down the valley, his rii^lit resting high up on the nn)untain 
side near tlie palisades. The enemy's pickets lined the right 
bank of the stream, their reserves posted in the valley, while 
the main force was encamped in a hollow half way up the 




NLX.I. (iKN. .loSKI'll n<>iiKl.i:. 



158 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



mountain side. (Jn that front (west) as well as the northern 
slope, and on the eastern sl()i)es facing Chattanooga Creek, 
were breastworks, which, taken in connection with steep, 
rugged and rocky slopes to be scaled, made the assault an 
enterprise, as Hooker reported, Avorthy of the ambition and 
renown of the troops to whom it was entrusted. 

The purpose was to sweep clear around from the west- 
ern to the eastern face and secure the road winding to the 
summit from the Chattanooga Valley, the only practicable 
road to the summit for a distance of many miles, it being 
thouglit that the forces on the summit would evacuate before 
relinquishing the road. 

Geary crossed at 8 a. .m., capturing the picket of forty- 
two men posted to defend tlie crossing. Grose advancing at 
the jsauie time drove the enemy from the 
l)ridge just below the railroad crossing. 
The tiring aroused the Confederates, who 
promptly tiled into tlieir WM)rks, and the 
hattle was on. 

Cruft found it impracticable to rei)air 
the bridge under tlie heavy tire thrown 
up(^n it, and was ordered to go slow until 
Geary came up. Osterhaus also found 
the crossing at his front impracticable, 
and was ordered to send Brig. Gen. 
Chai'les R. Woods' brigade under cover of the hills and tim- 
ber to a point about half a mile higher up the creek, and 
there prepare a crossing. By 11 o'clock Woods had com- 
pleted his bridge. By that time Geai'y was near at hand, his 
skirmishers smai'tly engaged. Cruft had been ordered to 
leave two I'egiments to keep the enemy busy at the railway 
bridge and send Grose with his remaining regiments to 
follow Woods. Both Woods and Grose crossed and formed 
on Geary's left, and all moved on down the valley. By this 
time the artillerv was at work also. Hooker luid two l)at- 




!Ma.i. iIi:.n. ( )>ii,i:hai >. 



J^.lTTLli OF /.OOKOC'/MOCXJA/y. 



'59 



toi'ies, hrloiiu'iiiL;- to lln- l']lt'\ flit li ('orps — IJatti-rv I\. \>\ 
Ohio, and Battery 1, 1>I New ■^'()^k, The ()\\\n liattcr\ was 
l>lace(l on Jiald Hill,wliri-o it eiitiladcd the railway and the 
wagon road leadinu' to Chattanooga. Thi' New \\)vk l>at- 
tery was jilaeed iieaf hy. ( )sterhatis |»hu-e(l tw<» twenty- 
jMiuiidei' Tan'otts ot Captain Fi'oelieli's (4th ()hii>) hattery 
whore tiiey entihided a series (»t" the enemy's works and ritle 
pits. Ca}>tain (iritlith's (1st Iowa) battery was j>osted near 
wliere Woods crossed. All tlu' l»atteries were in easy range, 
and Well posted to make the \alley and 
western slojies dangerons gronniL The 
batteries on Moeeasin Point also joined 
in, doing \\A\ eoiisidering the distaiiee 
and ditlieidty of seeing. The enemy's 
batteries on the erest roared incessantly, 
but from inability to see their enemy did 
little damage. l>y \'l o'clock Geary's 
advance, close np under the palisades, 
rounded the })eak, and the whole line was 
sweeping irresistably around : at '1 o'clock 
the plateau was cleared and the line estab- 
lished, extending from the palisades on tlu' right to the foot 
of the mountain near the mouth of Chattanooga Creek, 
when further adxance was deemed ha/.arilous on account of 
the mist settling down niton the valley. nnd<ing it impossibK' 
to detect movements of the enemy. 

Johnson's division of the J^'oui-ttH'uth Corps held the 
right of Thomas' line, and besides [losting batteries to j.ro- 
tect Hooker's left Hank, sent Brigadier General Carlin's 
brigade to ett'eet a erossing. Col. T. 1\. Stanley, chief of 
river transportation, furnisheil a larg^' tlatboat by which 
Carlin's regiments ferried over, and at o:30 r. .m. were sent to 
tlie extreme riglit to report to Geary, whose troo[>s were 
sliort of ammunition and jthysically abiiost worn out. About 
8:o0 \\ M. tliat part of the line was tiereely assaulted, but 




• 'IIAKI.t> K. WoiiKS 

Uivvct Miiji.i- OfiuTiil. 



i6o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



"vvith Carliirs assistance repulsed the enemy. Other attacks 
-were made, probahly to cover the retreat of the enemy from 
the summit, and firing did not wholly cease until after 1 
o'clock in the morning. Before daylight, anticipating that 
the enemy was gone, detachments from several regiments 
proceeded to scale the crest, that of the 8th Kentucky Infan- 
try being first to reach the summit and display the stars and 
stripes from the peak. 

Grant's line of battle was now continuous from Lookout 
Mountain through the valley of Chattanooga to the north 
end of Missionary Ridge. Bragg withdrew his troops from 
Lookout and from the valle}^ and massed his army on Mis- 
sionary Ridge, destroying the bridge across 
Chattanooga Creek, and lea^ng a small 
force to ■watch and resist an advance by 
wa}' of Rossville. 

From liis official report it is apparent 
that Bragg did not entertain the slightest 
ai>prehension from direct assault. His 
shortened line enabled him to reinforce 
heavily against Sherman, and also to fill 
the rifle pits in front of Thonuis. The 
possession of Lookout Mountain gave 
Grant undis[tuted navigation of the river and the control of 
the railroad to Chattanooga. The siege was raised beyond 
doubt, but Bragg's defiant attitude on Missionary Ridge 
insured more fighting. 




];i:i(.. t.i.-s. W. ]'. Cahi.in. 



MISSIONARY RIDGE. 

The battle was opened on the 25th l)y Sherman, the 
purpose being to carry out the original plan l)y turning 
Bragg's right flank, and securing the north end of Mis- 
sionary Ridge. 

In front of the hill or ridge occupied by Sherman's 
center was a narrow valley, separating it from the next hill 



BATTLi: orr.xh.n nv sin:R.\rAxs jRoors. i6i 



of tlie series, tlu^ tariluT poinl ol' wliit-li \\;is lirM li\- tlio 
enemy in a hri-ast work ot" Iol^'s ami eaitli. Hn a -till liii.Hier 
liill lieyond the tunnel, ovei'lookiiiu- tlie one to Ite liist carried, 
the enemy were in still liTi-ater Inr.-c. and had a lair |iluni:inii" 
line ot" tire on the i^ronnd to he traxcrscd h\- an assaultinu* 
eohimn. 'Pliroiii:li tin- i^-ori^'e in Ironi of the hiii'her hill sev- 
eral roads and the railroad passed. The enemy had troops 
massed in that n'oru't' under t-over, ready to he used in any 
direction. r>eyon(l the 
gorge was the continuous 
line ot" works c>n the ridge 
[)ro[)er. Brigadier Ciiiieral 
Corse with as much of his 
l)rigadc as eould o[»ei'ate on 
the narrow ridge, was di- 
rected to cross the interval. 
ascend to tlu' crest and ad- 
vance ahuig if against the 
nearest works, to he sup- 
l>orted l»y (u'U. M(U-gan L. 
Smith's division on tin- left 
moving along tlie east liast,- 
of the ridge connecting with 
Corse,while Colonel Looniis" 
brigade moved in like man- 
ner along the West hase, 
sn[ij>orted hy two lirigades 
(l\auni's and .Matthias') of Gen. .lohn 1*'. Smith's division. 
(Jeni'ral Kwiiig and General Lighti)urn. holding hillto[is to 
the i-ight and left (jf Corse's position, had theii- guns trained 
to aid in clearing Corse's front, and Lightlnirn sent one of 
his regiments, the oOtli Oiiio, to act with Corse. 

About 7 A. M. the bugle sounded "advance," ami the 
40th Illinois, Maj. Hii-am W. Hall commanding: the 40th 
Ohio, Col. Charles (\ Walcutt commanding; and -"lOth ()hio, 




tiKN. p. H. SllKKIHAN (IMl:;! 



l62 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




Col. Theodore Jones commanding, preceded by three compa 
nies of the 103rd Illinois as skirmishers, moved down the face 
of their own hill and up that lield by the enemy, led by Corse 
in person. Advancing to within a few yards of the intrench- 
nient Corse found a secondary ridge, which he held, calling 
the remainder of his command to that point. Corse then 
assaulted the works and a severe contest ensued, lasting for 
more than an hour, Corse gaining and again losing ground, 
but holding fast to the first position all the time. Then for 

a time Corse's men rested while 
the artillery did their best to clear 
the front. Meantime the support- 
ing troops had moved at the same 
time, come into action and gained 
gi-ound, drawing the enemy's tire in 
}»art and somewhat relieving Corse. 
The latter then renewed the assault, 
and the fight raged with fury on the 
entire line. About 10 a. m. Corse 
was wounded and carried from the 
field. Colonel Walcutt succeeding to 
BvT MA.T.(;KN.(nAs.c.WAL, rrr. ^|,^ command. Walcutt continued 

the fight, pressing vigorously and persistently. By this time 
Eaum and Matthias had worked well to the front beyond 
Loomis, crossing a field and pushing on to the base of the 
ridge. The lines were now in close contact at all points, 
and the roar of battle, plainly heard at Chattanooga, indi- 
cated the severity of the conflict. Howard had been sent 
from his position on the left of Wood's division with the 
remainder of the Eleventh Corps, and Sherman placed him 
on the extreme left. The enemy, massed in the tunnel 
gorge, moved a heavy force under cover of the ground and 
tliick bushes to the flank and rear of Raum and Matthias, 
and those two brigades were forced to retire across the field, 
both Raum and Matthias being wounded. That retrograde 




riioM.is 0Rni:ki:i) ro .inwwci- 



■ ^\? 



iiKn't'iiu'iit. iiccoMiiilv iiiailf in liiistr, w it iu-^simI iVoui l-'urt 
Wood and oilier |»>liits, aioiiscd tears tlii't tlu- Ict't iiiiiilit lie 
o\t'rj»o\vofud, and Uairds di\i>i(in nf the Foiirtccntli Corps, 
posted on ( Jraiiii'or's riii,lit, was onlered to Slierman : l»ut 
before ai-rixinu' a inossc'iii^cr I'rDni the latter said lie had all 
the ti'oops ht' could usi". and Ilaird \\a> then reealled, <i"()iiili" 
into position on (Jran^-er's Udl, just in lime tor the assault at 
the center, now loiin' delayed while waitiuij: tor Hooker to 
come up on tlii' riiilit. I'laily in the day the iiea\v mi.-t hniii;" 
o\er the valley, niakin^- it impossihle l'<n' Iloukei" to disceiii 
what was het'ore him. A rec(»nuoissaiice wa> sent out and 
ri'ported the \alley clear <il the enemy. Hooker was ordered 
to adxaiHH'. cross C'hattanoou'a Creek, u'ain the ridi;-e near 
l\oss\ille and sweej) northward to the center. lie marchcil 
at K) A. .M.. hut was delayed tour hours in 
huildiiii:- a liritlii-e. Thomas had hecii 
ordered to advance when Hocdcer \\y- 
lU'oacdied ; and now at last we come to 
tiie part of the g-rcat halllc in which the 
125th liecamc an active participant, hiir- 
iiiii' tlie morniiiii- Sheridan's hriii"ades had 
advam-ed without resistance and ]>ro- 
loiiu'cd Wood's line in front of Orclianl 
Klioh. When Uaird moved to the let't. as 

stated ahove, dohns(.n with two hri^-ades " "' ^^ ^' '■ ^""' ^ 

of liis division of the Fourteenth Corps, CaiTin's and Kini^'s, 
the latter commanded teinjiorarily hy Col. William L. 
IStouijliton, was ordered to the riii-ht of Slu-richin. Thomas, 
th(Mi. liad four divisions facinu- Missionary lvi(li:-e — Sherithtn 
and Wood, of the Fourth C'Oi'p>. and dohnson and Hairih of 
the Fourteenth Coip>. 

The distance across to the tirst line of the eiu-my's ritie 
pits at the foot of the ]{idi>e varied hy reason of thi- undii- 
latioiKS of I lie Kidge, on Marker's front heiiiij al»out one-half 
milt,'. The eiiemv had a st-iond hut not c(»ntinuo'i> line of 




164 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



pits part way up the slope, and on the crest had a continuous 
breastwork, all tlie works well filled witli men and apparently 
not less than fifty guns. The position, strength and arrange- 
ment of Thomas' line being open to the observation of the 
enemy from the crest, Bragg was able to prepare delib- 
erately, and to place in position all tlie troops deemed 
necessary for the safety of the position. The summit of the 
ridge was almost level and very narrow in places. The 
slopes were rugged and difiicnlt. The timber had been 
cleared along the front, giving the enemy's guns unobstructed 
range. Aljout - r. m. orders were given to carry the rifle 

pits at the foot of the Ridge. Neither 
Baird oi" Johnson were then in j^o- 
sitioii, nor was Hooker in sight. 
About 3 p. M., Baird and Johnson 
being up and Hooker though not in 
sight momentarily expected, the 
signal to advance was given by a 
battery on Orchard Knob firing six 
shots. At once the lines were in 
motion, 18,000 men in double lines, 
tlie front over two miles long, mov- 
ing across the plain, the entire line 
as well as tijat ot the enemy m plain 
view of Grant and Thomas on Orchard Knob, and every part 
of our lines in equally plain view of the enemy. Every gun 
on the Ividge blazed and roared. The spectacular effect of 
Hooker's assault on the mountain had been increased by the 
low hanging clouds, and now again natural plienomenon 
contributed to the grandeur of the scene. A peculiar condi- 
tion of the atmosphere made every wliizzing shell sent from 
the ridge visible in its rapid flight. Our own batteries on 
advanced positions and guns of heavy calibre in the forts, 
answering to those of the enemy, sent showers of shells over 
our heads against the Ridge. The roar of a hundred guns^ 




I 



ASSAULT ON .^flSSIOX KIDCE. 



•^S 



slu'lls tiiirstiiig (.'Vcrywlici'r, ami ritlc pits in iVoiU I»hi/.iiiii' 
with imiskctrv, made noise imleseriliaMe. Ne\er hetore in 
the historv of warfare did any man attain a [Mtsitidti from 
which lie ennhl witness eveiw juirt of a i-(»nHiet so extensive, 
or look upon a militarv iiau'eant of ciiual <2;randeup. No 
Wonder the spectators on C)rehard Knoh and in ( "hat tanoou'a 
were im})ressed hy the seene. 

Wlien half the distance was i^-aincd the uronnd t r:i\cr<cd 
was dotti'(l with dcatl and 
wounded men. Stretcher 
bearers were alreaily at 
work. FriMu that on the 
etteet of the tire \va> more 
deadly. Here ami there 
regiments sutt'ering severely 
passed from (piiek time to 
doulile ([iiick. An order for 
doulile ([uick passed along 
the lines. The skirmish line 
was then Hearing the i»its, 
the second line lU'ar at 
liaml. At such short range 
the aim of the Confederates 
was accurate. No lines can 
be lu'ld in check under such 
a tir»'. The men broke into 
a run and swe[tt irresistably 
to the \v<irks. capturiiiii" many (d the occupants, while the 
rest tied to their friends in the lines al)ove, subjected in their 
Hight to the tire of both friend and \oy^. 

The work intended was tlu'U ai-com[ilishe<l, the order 
being to carry the ritle trenches at the base of the Kidge ami 
liold them, but the men in the ranks, ami in many instances 
regimental eommanders, did not know the jtrecise wording 
of the order, the directions to regiimuital coinmamlers being 




ItKl 1!IN M. STKKI.E, 1 (ISN)). 



i66 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



ill most cases merely an order to advance at the given signal, 
conforming to the movement of tlie command next on the 
right or left as the case might be. Having witnessed Sher- 
man's efforts to carry tlie heights on the left, there was no 
reason for snpposing any less elfort was expected at the 
center. Besides, tlie works at tlie base were swept by both 
artillery and mnsketry from the snnimit, and, as all conld 
see, afforded but slight protection. 

The skirmishers passed on without even halting, and if 
the first line halted at all the pause was so brief as not to be 

observed. When the second line 
arrived the works were empty, and 
it also swept on, except that in some 
cases regiments were ordered by 
brigade commanders to halt and 
rest. In a very few minutes, how- 
e\er, all were pressing forward. 
From the moment the skirmishers 
crossed the pits an incessant hail- 
storm of grape, canister and minis 
balls from the works on the crest 
made every exposed place on the 
slo[)e wholly impracticable, and the 
lines were broken at once, men passing right and left into 
the ravines, where depressions -of the surface, stumps and 
rocks afforded partial shelter'and havens of rest for those out 
of breath. The ravines narrowed and became more shallow 
ui»\vai'd, ending beneatli the crest. 

The commingling of regiments brought groups of battle 
flags near together. Soon there was apparent rivalry as 
to whose flag should lead. All of them were pushed to 
the front and then advanced by short stages, each striving 
to iea(h 

1>3' this time the assaulting ti'oops were in triangular 
masses in everv ravine and ijorge, each detachment headed 




KlFis K. Wddiis, B. 



.]//SS/()X RIDCE CARRHiP. 



167 



Ity a uToiij) of llau">, t'ollnwt'd \\\ tirt'(l. jM'iv<|iiriii^''^ jiantiiii;-. 
tliirsty. Init I't-soliitt' soldiers. 

At last tilt' licatls ol" (•ojiiiiiii arr at tin- top ot' ra\iiifs, 
wluTo t"nrtln'i' jn'iigix'ss will hriiiii; tlieiii iiipuii liiiiluT Liroiitiij, 
aiitl (k'jirivc tlit'in of tiie ]»artial siieltcr ilicy have thus lar 
possessed. And now I'oi- tlic tirst time tlicfc is a iioticcaltio 
pause in their proi^ress. The spectators at Orehard Kiioh 
and on the torts must have looketl witii l)ated hreath and 
Wondered it" it was possihie tor men to rise out of those 
ravines and cross the interveniiiii" space to the breastwork in 
the face of those blaziiii;- iiuns. Their doubts, if tliey enter- 
tained any, were not sbarcd by otHcers or men on the hill- 
si<le. The pause was merely to rest and ifather streiii;tli for 
tbe final ettort. Those in the rear [lUshed forward, crowdiui;- 
upon the advance : u'ood marksmen upon the outskirts did 
their best, coneeiitratiiiii' fire on the points 
most dangerous to the heads of column : 
and then, with a mighty shinit, up rose 
every man, and with one great surge foi- 
ward the tiags were on the cri'st, followed 
by their di'fendei's, pouring over thr 
breastwork, through the e\er widenin- 
breaclies, turning to right and left ani 
tiei'eely assaulting every em-iny in sight. 
In five minutes the men of Wood's and 
Slierithin's dixisions wi're undispute(| 
ma>ters of the t-rot on their iVont. and part of Shei'idan"s 
commaml was in pursuit of the retreating foe. 

.lohnson on the riglit and Baird (Ui the left, in a(Mition 
to the resistance on tiieir fronts, wt-re subjected to counter 
attacks from the eiiemys troojis beyond their exposed tlank<. 
Johnson refused his right while pushing his left to the erc-t. 
and then. Hooker at last appearing, (h'ove everything before 
him, and (piite a force of tlie enemy were <'aiight between 
Hookt-r ami Johnson and t"or<-ed to <urrendrr. On Uaird's 





I- 1:1 !■. \\\:<t\\ I 



i68 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



front the enemy rapidly reinforced from the right and main- 
tained tlie struggle still longer, hut at last gave Avay there 
also, and the battle was ended. 

Our friends will expect a more detailed account of the 
part taken by the 125th. 

For fighting pur[)oses Harker's brigade was divided into 
demi-brigades, tlie first consisting of the 3rd Kentucky, G4th, 
65th and 125th Ohio and 79th Illinois, commanded by Colo- 
nel Opdycke, and the second comprising the 22nd, 27th, 
42nd and 51st Illinois, commanded by Col. IS". H. Walworth, 
of the 42nd Illinois. The brigade was in the center of the 
division, Wagner's l)rigade on our left and Sherman's on our 

right. Opdycke's demi -brigade was 
on the left of Walworth's. The 
formation for the assault was or- 
dered to be with a front of three 
regiments, deployed in line of battle. 
The 27th Illinois, 64th Ohio 
and 3rd Kentucky were in the first 
line, the 51st and 22nd Illinois and 
125th and 65th Ohio in the second 
line, all being named in their order 
from right to left. The 79th Illinois 
was in close column by divisions in 
rear of the interval between the 
125tli and 65tlj Oliio, having been placed in that position 
when relieved from picket a few hours earlier. The 42nd 
Illinois, Capt. E, D. Swain commanding, was deployed as 
skirmishers, covering the front of the brigade. AVhen the 
movement commenced the 125th was immediately beljincl 
the 64th Ohio. All were ordered to conform to the move- 
ment of the command next on the left. At the given signal 
the lines achauced, marching (piick stei>, then double (piick 
and finally running. 




^\.. K. \). SWAIN, IJlld UN 



HOW rill-. Rinc.i: ir.is (Wrnud. 



169 



Tlir skinnislii'i's aiitl lirst liiK- passed over the ciflc pits 
AvitliMiit lialtiiiLi'. (>ii ciiu'ru-iiii:- t'n»iii the tiiiil>er mi the jphiin 
it was seen that uiir line was init <iuite paraUel with that »>t' 
the fitk' }iits, the K-l't ot" the hi-i<ia<le heiiiii' nearest, also that 
the interval hetwet-n (Mii-lel't ami \\ :iu'n«'i'"> ri^ht was increas- 
ing, an<l ('oltMiel I)uiihii> ehanued the direction of the ."Ird 
Kontuckv slightly, ihu- ^ainini:- di-tance to tht' left, s(» that hy 
the time the second line eiiieriicd tVi-m the tind)er there wars 
a i^'ap constant ly wiileninu' in the Iront line, and thetl.'ith and 
l:^">tli chaiiu-ed direction >lii;htly in order to co\er the li'ajt. 

(Ml arri\inii- at the title pits the <!')th and liijtli jiassed 
on without haltiiiii' and c-losed up with the lirst liiu', passini*" 
over a swell ill the u'roiind w here the tire Was \-er\' hot. Il\- 
that tinu' ( ieiieral WaiiMiers hrig-ade and the reuinients t)t' 
oiir own liriir;nh' on our kd't were 
ii'oinii' ha(d< to the riMe pits, and the 
order was passing' on our line to do 
tho same. Tiiere was a moments 
hesitation, it seeming" sal'er to ad- 
\ance than to cross the more e.\- 
j)osed tii'ound in the rear. i)Ut all 
tho ottleers repeated the order to 
retire, and the m»'n ran hackuard 
and dropped on t he urouml heliind 
the iireaslw "ik. It wa^tlu-ii m>ti«-et| 
that the troops on the riuht were still 
a<l\ancini:', licinii" alreaily near to the 
iseeoml line ot lille pits, which extemled across tln-ir front 
hut did not extend to ours. (ieiu'ial Sherulan was with the 
riirht, and idiservinii' the lelroui-ade on the left of his division 
rttde oNcr at (Hice. mectiiii:' llarkei- and Opdycki' at the lelt 
of our reuiini'iit. .\s he pa>-eil the 12.')th lie said: "It's all 
riii'ht. hoys: when you catch your lireath you can 1:0 on 
auain." Instantly the order wa> ifi\'en hy ('a]ilain Hates, 
''One hundred and twi'Ut \ -tit'tli. t'oruard ! "" The order was 



1*^ 






<'m:i>TiAN .Nkwiomki!, I-. 



170 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



promptly obeyed. The same order passed along the line, 
and all the regiments advanced. In addition to five minutes' 
rest tlie bo^'s had obtained a good look at the lay of the 
ground, and needed no orders to pass to tlie right, avoiding 
the higher ground directly in front. It required but a few 
minutes' climb to come u}> with tlie troops on our right, who 
were then resting behind tlie second line of rifle pits. Cap- 
tain Parks, Lieutenant Stinger and about fort}' men did not 
fall back to the breastwork with the regiment, but sought 
shelter on the hillside and found it on the left. It thus 
happened that when the advance was renewed they were 
sep;n-iite<l from the regiment. 

Our cliange of direction to the right 
brought us to the crest a short dis- 
tance to tlie right (our right) of Bragg's 
headquarters, while Parks and Stinger 
went u]> witli other troops to the left of 
tlu'-liouse. Part of the 125th, together 
with the advance men of other regiments, 
helped to clear out the enemy still cling- 
ing to the battery and breastwork near 
and at the right of the house. It was 
^^ " ' ^' ' " ' "^' " "~ " (piickly done. Meantime the whole mass 
of the -jrd Brigade was pouring over the breastwork. Offi- 
cers shouted, ''Fall in, 125thl "" and the line eacli way from 
the colors began to assume sha[»c. Other regiments were 
forming at the same time. Parks and Stinger with their 
squad jiushcd on after the retreating enemy without waiting 
for orders. Similar detachments from other regiments did 
the same. Before any of the regiments had gathered all 
their scattered men, Opdycke with pai't of his command was 
pushing on in pursuit, accompanied by part of Wagner's 
regiments on his left and part of Walworth's on his right. 
The 12oth was directed to await orders. In a short time 
an order came to join the regiments in advance, and we 




Ficirr wrni ////■: ri-.ar clakp. 



iiiarflictl t'ortliwitli. ^Vlioiit oiif mile Urvoml Mis.-l-'ii;iiy 
liitlu'c file (.'iieiiiyV I'l'iir uiianl made a staml. I'aiUs and 
Stiiig'er |iiisln(l tlicii- (Iftai'liiiK'iit tupwanl as a skiriiii>li line, 
other eoniiiiaiitls jdiniiiii- '" tl'^' nit»v»', and tln-re \va> a hot 
contest. Wagner, Updyeke and the re<;iniental <(>inniandei's 
Worked enei'y;etieally to u'et theii- «i>iiiiii;iiids into iMi>ition 
an<l lorwai'd. Finally there \va> a ru>li antl the enemy was 
il'one. K'avinii" two <:uns, one of which was eoiieeded to bo 
the prize ol' I'aiks and Stinu'er, their squad being the first to 
i-eaeh it. The hi-igade was then foiined, regiments moving 
to their proper jtositions in the line, and l)i\()uaek<'d. Ahont 
midnight the men were aroused, a new su]»ply ot" cartritlges 
issued, and the entire di\ision ailvancetl, ()jidyfke leailing, 
with the tioth Ohio deployed as skirmisiiers, the other regi- 
ments ot" the deini-hrigadi' deployetl in two lines, in which 
order we marched to JJird's Mill, on the 
CMrn-kamaiiga River, arriving there at 
o A. M., tinding tiie enemy safely across 
ami tlu' hridge destioyed. In the advance 

we picked up a g 1 many prisoiier>. 

most (»f them Wounded men who had 
retreated until exhausted. 

The storming of Missionary liidgc 
is often spoken of as the sjMM'ial work ol 
the raidv ami tih-, hecause it was l»egun 
without orders and carried on finally "'^ 
without much organizati(Ui. the hravcst and strongest. e>pc- 
eially the latter, leading. l>ut all going as fast as physical 
strength [lermitted. It should not l)e forgotten, however, 
tliat Sjieridan sent an aide to <iranger, asking permission to 
try for tlie crest at the moment the signal was givi-n for the 
advance, and that none ot' the general officers gave explicit 
orders to stoji at the first line of works. an<l also that all the 
division and briii^ade commanders went up with their men. 




172 



OFBYCKE TIGERS, 



JSlieridaii, being on duty as general Held officer of the 
-day, was in full dress uniform, and as he rode along the lines 
mounted on his splendid black charger, was a verj- conspicu- 
■ous figure. The Confederates on the crest could not fail to 
recognize him as a major general. Even our corps com- 
mander, Granger, became infected with the prevailing enthu- 
siasm, and breaking away from the group on Orchard Knob 
mounted and came forward. 

To name the regimental commanders who were distin- 
guished for conspicuous daring, would practically require a 
list of all ot them. Probably the sol- 
diers would have carried the Ridge any 
wa}', but it is certain they were greatly 
aided and encouraged l)y their officers. 
Many of the regimental colors were car- 
ried all or part of the way by officers. 
Lieutenant Colonel Young, 2Gth Ohio, 
and Colonel Dunlap, 3rd Kentucky, car- 
ried the colors of their regiments in the 
final dash. 

General Bragg, in his official report, 
complained of what he regarded as mis- 
conduct on the part of his troops, being 
unable to believe that they could have 
been ibrced from their works. His criticism was unjust. 
The men who carried the Ridge know that Bragg's veterans 
did their very best, and only retreated when further resist- 
ance meant certain death or capture. General Thomas, in 
his report, stated that the Ridge was carried at six points at 
the same instant. Each of those columns consisted of one 
or two thousand men, the narrow trout of columns su})ported 
and encouraged by the general mass pressing forward u])on 
the heels of the leaders. As the head of a column crossed 
a limited section of the breastwork, the narrow crest in the 
rear was hllcd in an instant, aiul tuiMiing right and left they 




MA.IOK (ir.NKP.AI. SriElilDAN. 



l]'//OS/: I'L.IC, WAS l-IRSTf 



173 



iiss;iil(Ml till' ('(tiitcdcratcs tnmi tlic iT;ir. Ai the s;mK' time 
tlicir rt)iiir;nl('s wi'ix' :nl\;iii<-iiii:" iii :i f((ii>tiiiit ly iiicrfii.-inir 
;iim1 in'osistiildo mass. Tlic ci-i'st \\a> too narinw to ailmit 
ot' new liiu's oil it, ami tln' moment tlie ('oiit'(M|erates left it 
retreat to tlie liottoiii and still lint her \\a> a palpalde iieees- 
sity. Two tliinus eoiit rilmted uri'atly to success, v'n \ the 
wide spaee covered by tlie assaiiltiiiir eolumii. in eomieetioii 
witli tlie narrowness of the crest. |ire\'ente<| a eom-eiit ration 
by troops riishini;' in trom the llaiiks and rear to a threatened 
point. sn<di as oeenrred at Gettysburg. All the (yOiife<lerate8 
were hidd in position execjtt those beyond the Hanks of our 
v\if\\X and left divisions. These two di\ision> were i lieekcd 
nntil the ei-ntei', I'or the spaee of a mile or more. ha<l been 
carried. The ruii-^cd chai'acter of the sloj»c, att'ordinii- partial 
pi'otcetion to the assanltiiiii* troops, was also of i^-reat advan- 
tage. Had the woi-ks been on a sliu-ht 
elevation with a comparatively smooth 
slo]»e, no troop-- eouM have lived to reatdi 
them. 

Accordiiii:' to all precedents in ri'ui- 
inental liistories, we oui:-lit to tell whose 
Hag was first jilanted on the Ixidge. A 
hirge majority of the survivors of the 
lil")th liave lived all these yeai's unshaken 
in the belief that ours was the tirst — 
aliead of all others. Allidavits to that 
ett'eet could be procured tor the a-king from men who .va/r 
our own tlag tlicre before they saw that of ;iny other com- 
mand. A good many other regiments make the same claim, 
many of them in their oflicial reports. It can never he 
(h'tt'rmincd who was first, if any one was. General 'I'homas. 
who could see the wlu)le line, says that the Kidge was cariied 
at six points at the same instant. At each jioint so carried 
several flairs were I'ushed o\ cr the work-^ verv m-arlv at the- 




IIWII. \\. WCM.I.. it. 



174 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



same time. Officers and men would luitui-ally ol)ser\'e their 
own flag, bnt would not be apt in that tinal rush to take note 
of others. For anything we can certainly know other heads 
of column may have been on tlie Kidge hefore Opdycke's 
demi-brigade, and in the excitement of the moment we failed 
to notice the fact. Sherman's brigade on our right was un- 
questionably one of the six columns observed by Thomas. 
Sheridan says his right and right-center were first up. 
Strictly s[)eaking that would cover only Sherman's brigade 
and Walworth's demi-brigade. We were, however, mixed 
with Walworth's men, and, therefore, possibly included. 
On the other hand, Colonel Dunlap caught u}i the colors 
of the 3rd Kentucky, and spurring his horse forward 
reached the crest with his foremost men, going up to 
the left foni- left) of Bragg's headquarters just at the 

stable, and he reported that he did 
not at the moment see another flag 
u}) for the space of several regiments 
on either side of him. Lieutenant 
Colonel Bullitt, c(»mmaiuling the 
()5th Ohio, claimed that its flag was 
tlie first one waved over the batter}' 
at that point. Colonel Buckner, 
7i>th Illinois, also to oui- left, report- 
ed that some of his men helped to 
punch the cannoneers from the guns 
near the house. Cajttain Smith of the 
65th Ohio, was given charge of the 
captured guns, and tired one of them on the retreating enemy, 
R. M. Steele. Company I, 125tli Ohio, was one of the men 
who worked the gun. These reports were correct, without 
doubt, and still all of the flags at the right may have been 
up a minute or two in, advance of those on the left. The 
interval of time between the arrival of the advance men of 





,I<)li N A \ i.i;\ II \ i;\M 



O/'/'/Cf.t/. Ri:rORT OF 12-itli 0///0. 175 

tlic sevor:il rciiiiiiciits must li;i\«' lifrii aliiidst lod lu'ift' t<> lie 
iiottMl. That is [iiii\C(l \)\ tlic tacts as tu \Vai^iic'i''s lirigadc 
(HI (^iir left. Slu'i-idaii rc|Mirtcil his rii;ht and ri<;ht-<-t'iiti'i- 
tirst up. That part of liis liin- was iiin>t faviUfd \\\ the cliar- 
acttT of the «i-i'oniitl. a-^ >lio\\ n hv thr ca.-^iiahifs in Waiiiici-'s 
hriii-adc hciiig hi-avu-i- than in any other. Dut Wau'nor's nn-n 
must have l)c'en up within a minute or two ot" tliose on their 
right, for they eajitured prisoni-rs and a liatth- thiu' (tn the 
crest au<l se\'i'i'al of Wa^-iiei's re<i'iments ad\aneed in pursuit 
at tlie same time that Opdyeki- did. 

All the eireumstanees jn.stify t he con- 
elusion that each reu'inieiit did its ln-st. 
If any of them was tirst, the fact merely 
[U'oves that it had lc« ditHeult i;M"onnd to 
traverse. 

Colonel Mcllvain. <i4tli Ohio, with 
his usual modesty, makes no sj»ecial claim 
for liis I'ommand, hut all -Jrd Uriu'a'lc 
men will concede that ni'ither MtdKain 
or his regiment were in the hahit of let- "'^'=' """"•' 
ting others surpass them in heroie ettort, and we may assume 
tluit till' •!4th was not lagging behind in the charge. 

F(dlowing is tlu' e»un[»lete report of C'apt. l-]dwai<l I'. 
]>ates. comniandin<^- the lil-uh : 




IlKAi)<ir.\i!Ti:i{s I 

1_*")TII Hlllo \'ol.lNTKKK iNrVMUN. 

Lui DON. Ti:nn., Fell. 11, 1H;4. I 
Sii! : 1 have the IkiMiii- tosiiliiiiit. tlH(iii<,'li Colonel Ojulycke, coin main I- 
in<: (leini-bri;.'a'lc i>l llic Tliinl l'.rii:a<Ie. Sj'coml l>ivision, Fourth Army 
Corps, the follo\vin<: npoit of the operations of my ic;;iment from Novem- 
ber 2.*?, 18(>:>, to inthide the battle of Ciiattaiioo;;a : 

At 11 .\. M., November 'l'.\, my reiiii'X'Ht was reaily for action, witii tiie 
followinj; orjranization : F. 1*. I'.ates. Captain comuiamiin^: Lieut. S. A. 
Smith, actinir Atljntanl ; II. ^blbniy, Sur^'eon ; Freeman Collin.«. acliu); 
Serireant Major: W. H. Crowi'U. C^nartermaster Serjeant ; F.dwanl Trimble, 
Conimissarv ScrL'eaut. 



176 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



COMMAND. Officers. 

Capt. Joseph Bruff, Companj' A 1 

Sergt. R. K. Hulse, " B 

Sergt. John A. Cannon, " C 

Capt. R. B. Stewart, " D 1 

Lieut. D. A. Stinger, " E 1 

Capt. S. B. Parks, " F 1 

Lieut. AV. W. Gushing, " G 1 

Lieut. C. T. Clark, " H 1 

Capt. A. Coonrod " I -1 

Field and Statt'. o 

Total 11 



Meu. 


A^'Sregates 


3(5 


37 


26 


26 


:]l 


31 


21 


22 


31 


32 


.J.J 


34 


17 


18 


24 


25 


6S 


70 


3 


6 



150 



261 



At 1 v. M. the regiment marched with the brigade to the picket line 
150 yards to the left of the Ringgold road, fronting ^Missionar^- Ridge, and 
with the 65th Ohio on my left and followed by the 79th Illinois, moved for- 
ward as directed by the Colonel commanding in 
sup})ort of the skirmish line, which was imme- 
diatelyi advanced, conformatory to simultaneous 
movements on the left. The enemy was di'iven. 
At 3 p. :m. our line was established at his former 
outposts and made a formidable breastwork before 
dark. At 8 r. ys... as directed by the Colonel com- 
manding, my regiment moved with the brigade 200 
yards to the left and rested on arms during the 
night. 

Xnveml)er 24, at 8 a. m., relieved with iny regi- 
niciit tlie (J4th Ohio on picket. Xo tiring occurred 
on our lines that day. 

November 25, was relieved fi'om picket ])y the 
38th Ohio at 4 A. m. and joined the brigade. Abt)ut 
1 I'. M., as ordered, I moved my battalion 100 yards in advance of our line 
of works to position in second line of battle in the demi-brigade, support- 
ing the 64th Ohio, with the 65th Ohio on my left and 70th Illinois on my 
right.* I was then informed we were about to take the enemy's works \>\ 
Colonel Opdycke, who instructed me when the order to charge should be 
given "to conform to movements on the left, follow the 64th Ohio, faith- 
fully support it, and not fail at all hazards to accomplish any work that 
regiment might be inadequate to perform." The order came and the line 
advanced, steadily at first, till the brigade on our left commenced an impru- 
dent fast march, that necessitated a conformatory double-quick movement 
of my command, through brush and over swami)y ground, three-fourths of 
a mile to the enemv's works at the base of Mission Ridge. The most fearful 




\\ii.iAM H. Hati:, 
:^[a,io^ General, ('. S. A. 



■It WHS ll>e '22iid Illinois on the right. 



orriciAi. Ri.roR'i of i2stii oiiio. 



'77 



t( >nuu li 1 uf liiirstiiiir slicll> IkkI mow passed into a imirc ilfsliiutivi- sliowcr 
of jriajK'. \Vf lulil tlic cinMiiy's works, lillcfl witli captivt's; Imt to irmaiu 
tlien- was ilfstiiiitivf, to iftreat (lishoiioialilc, so tin- ailvainc was onli-rtMl 
l)y Colonel llaiUii ainl ra^jcrly cxeenttMl l»y my coiiuiiainl in tlic iininciliatr 
front of an oju'M hatteiy, near (ien»'ial Hia>rj,''s liea<l<iuarters on the n-est. 
One-tliinl the ascent was made w hen, unfortunat«'ly, tlie hrigaiie on my h*ft 
fell hack tfi the works, l>ei|ueatliiii;r to us a severe cross (ire |>revionsly 
• lirecteil to it, an<l 1 was ordered to r»'tire to that line. Not all my men 
<)heye<l; they men-ly halted, and restiii},' under cover of lo<.'s and stumps 
waited to he heroes in the tinal j^lorious charj;e which, after a moment's 
needed rest, was ordered hy C'oli>nt'l Ilarker, and the men ajrain rushed to 
the linal onset. The enemy's tire was now terrilic Captain i'.rulf. of Com- 
l)any A, liere fell with a severe wound in the side, and Ser<.'t. Freeman 
Thoman a.ssumed command of his com|>any. 

Perceiviu),' that tiie ridf,'e across which my regiment extended was 
coiumandi'd to the very crest hy a liattery in front, :dso hy those to liyht 
and left, I din-cted the men to pass up the '.'orLres on either sid«-. .\hout 
forty men, with Captain Parks and Lieutenant Stintrer, passed to the left, 
the halance to the ri;,dit, and holdly char^'cd on till, foremost with tlnw of 
other reiriments. they stood I ui the strongest points of the enemy's works, 
master alike of his <runs and position, heroes in unsurpassed victory. 

Especial praise is due to many for meritorious conduct, l>nt I 

oflicers more de-servinj; than Cai)tain Stewart, of 
Com])any I>. and Lieutenant Clark of Company M, 
wliose cotil manatremeut jireserved order in the 
ranks, and whose ha/.anlous examples emulated the 
holdest and encourajred the falterini:. 

With utmost satisfaction do I refer to the heroic 
conduct of Private John Simpson, of Company (i. 
one of the few and faithful jruanls to the ;rallant 
Colonel ILirker in his famous artillery riile, who. 
spying three rehels e.^capin;,' with a load of amnni- 
uition and arms advanceil alone, killid one, i>ut the 
others to tliu'ht, an<l l>y order of Major <ieneral 
Sheridan drove the team to his headquarters in 
Chattanoopi. 

Havinj: gained the crest my liattaliou was quickly loniiid. wlicu I was 
directed to remain in jiresent position till further orders hy (icueral 
Sheridan. 

Meantime, that part of my command under Captain Parks had passed 
uji to the left of the Itattery, and under the din-ctiou of Colonel Optlycke 
wa." moved forward as skirn)islu'rs. sujipoited hy the hrigade and covering 
the roail ui)on which tht- enemy had retreated, when tin- light was renewed 
and continued until after dark. Captain Parks reimrts liis skirmish line 
to have chargeil upon and captureij one gun that otherwise would have 
heen hauled oJL 






178 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



At 8 p. M. I wa8 ordered to join the brigade with my regiment, and 
soon after the brigade marched in pursuit of the routed enemy, whom we 
followed to his jilace of (grossing the Chiekamauga, at which point we 
remained till the afternoon of the 20th, when the regiment and brigade 
returned to Cliattanooga, arriving there about dark. 



CASUALTIES. 



Company A.. 
Company B. . 
Company C 
Company D. . 
Company E.. 
Company F. . 
Company (1. . 
Company H. 
Company I. , 



Killed. Wounrtefl 
1 



nrtefl. 


Total. 


;; 


4 


4 


4 


3 


3 


4 





4 


4 


1 


1 


2 


.> 


6 


(i 



Total . 



30 



A single day was allowed me in which to ])re])are for a march to Knox- 
ville, and during that time the dead were buried and the wounded comfort- 
ably provided for in hospitals. 

Very respectfully, your oliedient servant, 

E. P. Bates, 
Captain Commandin(j VlotJi 0. T'. /. 
LiEiT. L. Hanback, 

Acting Assistant Acljiitant General. 

The killed reported by Captain Bates 
were lieuLiii Bniiuel, of A, and William 
Miller, of E. Four others died of wounds 
received in the assault, riz : Sergt. Henry 
Willour, of E; Frederick Brower, of F ; 
William 11. Friend and 01i^■er Ricliard- 
son, of I. Willoni* was hit wliile ascend- 
ing the liidge, a minie hall shattcriiii;- Ids 
left elbow, making ain})utatioii necessary. 
He died January 7, 1864. Brower was 

Wa|.1,A< K IlENUV, B(l«l)5). 1 •, 1 , j-1 Ti- 1 j-1 1 11 

hit when part way up tlie Kidge, the ball 
liitting liis watch and passing through liis body. He died 
two days later. He was an intelligent young man who came 
to Oliio from Germany in 1857, and so far as known to his 
comrades had no relatives in tins country, hut he often spoke 




KIIJ.i:n AXD WOUNDED. 



179 



of his mother and other rchitivcs in Germany. W. 11. 
Beeny, of F, secured Brower's diary and some trinkets, ])nt 
lias never t'ound tlic adih-ess of any of liis rehitive>. Fi-ieiid 
liad a lindt shattered wiiile aseendinu" the Jiido-e, and died on 
the next (hiy shortly after the limb was anqtutated. Kioh- 
ardson was struek on the head after passiuij; over the Ridge 
in the advance au'ainst the enemy's real' li'uard. and died the 
next ilay. 

It is to lie reii"retted that we eannot here naine ail of 
those re})orted wounded, hut no complete list has heen 
fouml. 

Cajit. .I()se])h IJi'ufK, of A, was struck by a miuie ball 
just after leaving the breastwork at the foot of the Kidu-e. 
Money sa\ed his life, lie liad a ^ni^ily 
of his own and a numl)er of his men had 
made liim their banker, all the bills being 
in a pocketbook carried in his inside vest 
pocket. The l)all passed through each 
and every bill, and but for the resistance 
of the palter would lia\e entered his 
heart: as it was he escajicd with a pain- 
ful wiiund. 

Sergt. John A. Morrow, of il, \\as 
hit as we neared the ^^■ol'ks at the foot 
of the Ridge, tlu- ball slmttt'i-ing tlu' bone of his right thigh. 
James Carlin, of K, was struck by a minie ball when part 
way up the slope, the ball entering at the groin. Ilcni'v 
Longsmith, ol' 1. lost an arm. Sergt. Wallace D. Edwards, 
of D, bad a ball through his arm. Henry AVhitmer, of F, 
was wounded atter [tassing the Ridge in the charge by which 
the two guns of the enemy's rear guard were captured, and 
when within a yard or two of one of the guns; Whitnier, 
James Willemin and Joseph Keys, (»f F, being the tirst to 
reach the gun, as rcjiorted by Captain Parks. Christian 
Newcomer, of F, was struck on the leg iiy a piece of shell. 




( ..I.. W. K. Tni.i.i;.- 
Idith O. V. 1. 



i8o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Others among the wounded were Ord. Sergt. Kufus E. 
"Woods, James Floody, Wallace J. Henry, David B. Wood 
(in foot) and James M. Pollock, of B; Eli C. Kelly, of A ; 
John Avery Harwood and William Seaborn, of C ; John 
Flack, of i); William 11. Beeny, of F (slight); Cassiiis 
Birch, of H (slight) ; Charles Miller and Michael Hill, of I. 
James Foster Scott, of F, acting as Hospital Steward, 
borrowed a gun and w^ent to the top with the company. 

Color Corp. William S. Thorn carried our tiag al)out 
two-thirds of the way, when he was hit and disabled, and 
Color Cor[). John Warman carried it thence to the top. 

One ot the '' Johnnies" who stuck to his post and laid 
down his gun as our men rushed over the breastwork, said: 
" You'ns took Lookout, and now you 
have the Ridge ; the Fourth Corps would 
storm hell I reckon." 

Colonel ()[>dyckc's horse "Barney" 
was wounded just after passing the works 
at the foot of the Ridge, the ball break- 
j ing the bridle bit and passing through his 
mouth. The Colo]iel mounted another 
horse, and that one was disabled by a 
minie ball when near the top. Daniel M. 
Peters, Company F, ()5th Ohio, shot a 
Confederate officer on the crest and 
secured his horse, turning it over to Opdycke. 

On the morning of the 25th two brigades of Bates' 
division of Breckinridge's corps occupied the crest in front 
of Ilarker's and Sherman's brigades, the right of Bates line 
resting at Bragg's lieadquarters. Bates' picket line was the 
Ist Florida (dismounted) Cavalry and 4th Florida; Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Badger, 4th Florida, Division Officer of the Day. 
The 7th Florida was sent down during the day as a picket 
reserve, and when our lines advanced those regiments retired 
to and occupied the riHe trenches at the foot of the Ridge 




Col. Samuei, H. lIiKKr, 

73rfl 0. V. I. 

Brevet Brigadier General 



coxi'i:ni:i<. I '/'/■: ta'()()/'s K.ycoi xri.Ri.i). \ s i 



tlu' liu'lit rcstiiii:- at .M(M»rc"s lionsf, coimi-ctiiiii' w it li tlic iiOth 
North Carolina lu-xt on tlicir I'iuht. Alxnit 1 r. m. iSates 
iii()\('(l to llic ri::lit. K'a\iii_u" lii> i>icki't> in jMisition. and 
Adams" liriii'adc of A. J*. Stewart's division clDsrd nji to tlif 
rii::lit nntil its riii;lit rostod at Brag'g's lK'ad<|narti'i-s. 'I'lir 
r('<i'ini('nt> in that hrin-ath' wiTf the l-ith 
and I'ntii Louisiana, CoL J^eon \'on 
Ziid<tii : ItJtli and i'.')th Louisiana, CoL 
J)anirl (Johar; 4lh Louisiana. J/u'Ut. Coh 
• Idliii Mrl'jieiT. and the 14th Ijouisiana 
JiattaliDU ol Sliai'jishootrrs, MaJ. d. l-',. 
Austin. 

Neither Stewart nor his lu'io-ade eom- 
iiumdei's made otHeiai rejioi-ts (d' the 
engagement, at least none are ineluded in 
the otHeial reeords, hut ^Lijor General 
Bates" re[iort indicati's that the regiments 
al»o\e named were those eueountered l»y llarkef's and Sher- 
man's lu-iuades. The artillery at IJragu's heachiuarters wa.s 
("ohlTs ( i\ent uck\) l>attcr\-. 




'I < 1 1.11 r. I'i:i:kin-. 

lur.Ui o. V. I. 



mm^wmsf^i^M. 



1M\\&Zi 





CHAPTEK IX. 



EAST TENNP]SSEE CAMPAIGN. 




Tlie Second and Third Divisions of the Fourth Corps 
were a part of the force sent to tlie relief of Burnside at 
Knoxville immediately after the storming of Mission Ridge, 
and were left at Knoxville, subject to the orders of the 
commander of the Department of Ohio, while the main 
body returned to Chattanooga. It was 
then expected that Longstreet would 
retire to Virginia, but when he learned 
of Sherman's return to Chattanooga he 
turned upon his pursuers and drove them 
Ijack towards Knoxville. That move- 
ment called the Fourth Corps into a 
winter campaign. The sources of supply 
were far away, the means of transporta- 
tion wholly inadequate, and the question 
of subsistence a serious problem. The 
weather was of unnsual severity, even in that mountainous 
region. The destitution and consequent hardship and suf- 
fering of the troops, and of the citizens living within the 
theater of operations, is almost without a parallel in the 
histor}' of warfare. The condition and suffering of the 
patriot army under General Washington at Valley Forge 
Avere of like charactei- but far less extensive as to the nnmber 
of peo})le involved. Including Longstreet's army, whose 
condition was little if any better than our own, there were 
five times as many soldiers above Knoxville as Washington 
could muster at Valley Forge, all of them equally destitute 
of shelter, subsistence, clothing and shoes. Wasliington's 
troops had shelter, being in winter quarters. It is safe 
to sav tliat the soldiers destitute of shoes in the East 



Ma.i. Gex. a. E. Bcrnsidk. 



KAsr yj'.xy/'.ss /-:/-: cam/'.ucx 



■'^3 



Tt'iiiK'ssoc caiiiiiaiuu <Mit iiiiiiilicrid W'a^liiiii^toirs i-iiticc 
force. At \ alley I'\»r«^L' <»iily a small rxtciit of cuiiiiti-v was 
iu-cessible to t"oraii,\'rs so as to involve the iiilialiitaiits, l»iit in 
East Tennessee liotli aiMnies wei'e sjmri'etl on to aeti\e o|MTa- 
tioiis and tVe([Uent ino\"enitnts hy the necessity of iirociirini:' 
fiod and forat^e. In a few weeks the whole countiy noiih 
and east of Knoxville, tifst Itetween the Clinch and llo|st<in 
Rivers, then l)etween the Ilolstcni ami FriMu-h IJroad, and 
finally south of the latter stream t<i the line ot" the I>ittle 
Tennessee, was oveniin and eonntleteiy slrij»j)«'d (»t" ^rain, 
forage and live stoek. Iea\ inu- the citizens without seetl foi- 
next year's crops, and in many cases more destituti' tiian the 
soldieis. The troojis eould and did march oi. to new fields 
of [ilunder, hut the citizens felt the ha\oe of war as a ea- 
lamity without hope of remedy. A majority of the peo|.](' 
were staunch suiiportei's of the Union, a 
strong minority were ecpially firm in adher- 
ence to the Southern Confederacy, and on 
both sides they sustained their cause with 
the courage of Americans. Two li(i>tile 
armies traxersing every i)art of ihe coun- 
try nunle it ([uite impossible for eitlur 
I'nionist or Coid'ederate to e\ade the 
ioragers. Indeed the tro(»ps were com- 
pelled to levy contributions with about 
e([ual Si-verity upon frieml and I'oe in 
order tn maintain existi'iice. Appeals of citizens to cdui- 
mamling otHi'crs were without a\ail, bicause hun<:;rv men 
and starving atdmals must bi' \\'y\. 

The cloud of despair was not entirely wit bout a silver 
lining «d" human sympathy. .\ society wa> organized, hav- 
ing head<piarters at I'hiladi'Iphia, I'a., tor the express purpose, 
of providing relict for the loyalists in Hast Ti'unessee, and 
early in the >priiig, when the I'ailway lines had been repairccl, 
atti-r Longstreet luul gone to Join l^ee in X'irginia, and oui' 




I'.Klc. <;kn. ANrii;i:-.iN. 



i84 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



troops were movino- down to join the grand army concen- 
trating at Chattanooga for the Atlanta campaign, the agents 
of that society came to the rescue, armed with an order from 
the Secretary of War for free transportation for themselves 
and their supplies. There has seldom been a case where 
assistance was more needed or a suffering community more 
deserving. 

It is not possible to give in this volume more than a brief 
outline of the campaign, throwing in a few reports showing 
the general character of our services and sufferings. In 
years to come, after all the participants in 
those stirring events have gone to their 
linal reward, the noA'elist and the poet, as 
well as the historian, will delve into the 
records and find them a store house of 
material full of romantic and tragic 
interest. 

When Kosecrans advanced against 
Chattanooga in September, a part of the 
Army of the Ohio, under General Burn- 
side, moved from Kentucky, occujjied 
Knoxville, and then advanced and held the line of the Little 
Tennessee, communicating with Chattanooga by a courier 
line. When Longstreet's command was detached from 
Braii-ii-"s arniv, shortly before the final strnggle at Chatta- 
nooga, he advanced against Burnside and drove him back to 
Knoxville, where Burnside fortified, and Longstreet posted 
liis ai'iny about the place so as to practically cut off supplies. 
Grant exiiorted Burnside to hold out, promising speedy 
relief, but was unable to render assistance until Burnside's 
situation became critical. In the pursuit of Bragg from 
Mission liidge, Sherman moved towards tlie raih-oad from 
Dalton to Cleveland, and on Novendjer 28 was ordered to 
take all the troops then with him and march with all pos- 
sible dispatch by way of Cleveland and Chark'ston to Knox- 




];i:iG. CiE.N. I). C. ]>ui;i.L. 



/'A'/:/\iA'/.\(; TO MARCH. 



185 



^■ille. (it'iuTal ( ii'iiiiucr liml liceii (irilcrcil to iii:iicli with 
two (li\i>i()iis ol" tlir Foiirtli Corps i-'m Kiiiirstoii. :iii<l (JiMi. 
W. L. Klliott, witli two ln'iu'ailrs of tlu' Kii-st hivision of 
Oavalrv, WHS Stilt from Alexamlria '''' I\iii;:>toii. Tlu' force 
with tSlu'iMuaii was tlio Second ami Foiirtli l)i\'isioiis of tlie 
Fifteontli Corps, umK-r Gi-ii. Kiank 1'. IJIaii-; tlu- Second 
and Third Divisions ot" the Elc\cnth Corps, nndcr drcii. 
()livcr (). Howard: l)avis' division of the Fonrteenth Coi'ps, 
and a small hodv ot' cavalrv. 

Our di\ i-ioii tiii'iied hack tVom Uirds Mill antl reached 
the camji at Chattanooua on the eveninu" of the 2<ith. ( )n 
the 27th evei'vi)ody was husy with i)rcparation for the march. 
( hic wai:'on to a ri'u'iment wa> allowetl, and it was no easy 
matter to jtrocure serviceahle mnlcs for that nnmher. All 
camp e(piipau"e. regimental and company desks or hoxes con- 
taininti" record hooks, ltlaid<s lor rci>orts, stationery, orders 
and correspondence, all otHcers' valises 
and mess chests, and every thinij else ex- 
ce}it what was to he worn or carried on 
the jierson, wci'c packed and storecl, to l»c 
reclaimed in two or three weeks, as wi- 
fondly hoiietl. hut not tor many weeks as 
events turned out. (irangers column 
marchecl at noon (Ui tlu' Jsth, crossing 
the South Chickanniuga on the jiontooii 
hridge laid hy Sherman a few days hefore ' — 
and went into hivonac h.r the niu'ht on ''""'^'^ i-. hlaiis. .ut . 
the road to Harrison. On the 2itth the 

march was resumed at an early Ikuii'. the column jiassing 
through Harrison ami on to the crossing of the ( )oltewah 
l\i\er, where ten hours were consumed in huilding a hridge 
ami crossing. The delay turned out to in- of" no importance, 
however, except in the way of atlditional fatigue to the 
troops, as the lii-ail ot' column ri-achcd Kincaniion- Kerry on 
the Hiwassce Ki\er oil the -jOth, several hours in ailvaiice of 




i86 



OFDYCKE TIGERS, 



the steamboat sent up to ferry the troo[)s over. The steamer 
came uji during- the day h)aded with liard-tack and towing a 
conpfe of flatboats. The command was crossed with all 
possible dispatch. The 125th took a turn at the oars and 
in the work of loading- and unloading artillery and wagons, 
and were relieved about 10 p. m. All of the Second Division 
was over before morning, and Wood's division followed 
without delay. 

A limited supply of hard-tack was issued from the boat, 

intended, with what was 
1 licked up in the country, to 
last until we met the boat 
again to cross the Tennessee 
near Kingston. That was 
I he last seen of the boat or 
the hard-tack with which it 
w as loaded. We marched 
in December 1st to Decatur, 
at which point an order was 
I'cceived from General Sher- 
man directing the column 
to head for Loudon by way 
of Philadelphia, and on the 
"2nd we marched in the new 
direction, arriving on the 
8rd at Fork Creek, about 
six miles from Philadelphia, 
and expected to march on 
the 4th to Loudon, to which point the steamboats " Dunbar" 
and " Paint Rock" liad been ordered, but both failed to get 
up, being unal)le to pass the shoals below Kingston. 

On the ord, Howard, with the Eleventh Corps and cav- 
alry, entered Loudon, and Blair, with the Fifteenth Corps, 
reached the Little Tennessee at Morgantown. Loudon had 
been Longstreet's depot of snp})lies, and lie liad a pontoon 




Ma, I. I ii:.N. t il.l\ i.i: 



MARCH 7V AW ().\' I 7 /././■:. 



187 



bridi^c tluTi', liMiariU'tl \>\ a ltii«:'a<lf iiiulrr ( Jcncral N'aiiuliii. 
()ii tlic aiijiroat-li ol" Howard tlir i'Ih-hi y fi'ossril, dcst mviiitj 
the jir<>|K'it y llity were uiiahU' to miiovi- and also (k-striiyiiii; 
tlif lii'idu\'. Tlicy rail three locomotives and torty-eiijlit ears 
into the I'iver. Sheiiiiaii ordere<l the eavah-y sent u\> on the 
east side oi'the llolston to iicl into Knowillc if jio>sihh' and 
iid'orni Bnrnsido of the aiiproaeh of tlie I'elief eohmiii. 

Findinii" no ]ira«-tieahle fonl for the infantry and artil- 
h'TV and the hoats not ha\'ini;" liceii heai'd iVom, a lirid«:'e was 
ordered to he constnieted over the Little Teiiiu'ssee near 
Morirantown. 

On the 4th our eor[is marched to the \icinity of Mor- 
ti'antown, taking jiossession id" all the mills in the vicinity 
and usinii!: them to grind corn an<l wheat. That evening 
word came that J^ongstreet had assaulted the works at 
Kmi.willc and had Iteen repulsed, hut was 
still in [lo-ition around the city. Tlie 
Fourth Coi'ps hegan crossing on the 
hridge at Morgantown early on the .')tli. 
tollowing the Fifteenth C'oiii>. < Mir head 
of column reached a point oj)[»osite 
Marysville hy night on a road east of the 
direct road, in the afternoon Sherman 
was advised that Longstn-ct had ahan- 
doned the seige ol' Ivnoxville and nmved 
oft' towards Virginia on the Ivutledgo, 
Kogersville and l5ristol road. < >n the <ith the l^'ourth Coi-jis 
marched to Little lii\er, Grangei' going in person to Ivnox- 
ville. During the 7th we la}' in camp, detachments keeping 
all the mills in the vii-inity Imsy grinding grain, (hi tin- Hth 
We marched for Knowillc, leaving men to kceji the mills 
going ami forward the product. That evening we hiv- 
ouacketl two miles tVom the city, on the east side of the 
llolston, where wi' remained until the LUh. wlu-n we «'rosse(l 
the river ami i-amped in the suhurhs ot" the city. 




.I.vs, A. I-Kliltls. K (is'.t.M. 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



It had l)eeii arranged between Bnrnside and Slierman 
for the latter to return to Chattanooga with his command, 
leaving the Fourth Corps to serve as a garrison for Knox- 
ville while Buruside's force followed Longstreet, who was 
expected to continue his retreat into Virginia. 

On the 12th of December Maj. Gen. John G. Foster 
arrived and superseded General Burnside in command of 
the Department. 

On that date Granger wrote a strong appeal to both 
Foster and Grant for an order to send the Fourth Corps 
back to CHiattanooga, giving as his reasons for the request 
that the Corps had marched to relieve 
their comrades at Knoxville immedi- 
atel}' after a hard battle ; that they had 
been for three months living on less than 
half rations, and had come hui'riedly, 
with little transportation, no shelter, thin 
clothing and well-worn shoes ; many men 
being entirely destitute ot overcoats or 
shirts; sul)sisting on the countrj', and 
were weak and growing feeble in conse- 
quence. He expressed the opinion that 
Longstreet was making his way to Virginia. 
General Foster replied next day. saying : 

" I liavr tlie lioiKir tn ncknowk-duc the rereij)! ol' your letter of yes- 
tcrilny in rcwjx-ct tu tlie ])hysical condition and ^-iitt'erings of your officers 
and men. I assure you that no one appreciates their galhmtry and devotion 
in connng rapidly to the rehef of the garrison at Knoxville more than my- 
self. I ani only waiting orders from General Grant to know what is to be 
done." 

On the same date (13th) General Halieck telegraphed 
Grant that Richmond papers of the 12tVi stated that Long- 
street was pre})aring to hold Kutledge and that his cavalry 
had raided Mt. Stei'ling, Ky., and it would he unsafe to with- 
draw tori'cs until the enemy was driven from the State. 




>Ia.i. <,en. J. G. FosTKi:. 



■IDI.IXC/': 70 />'/.. /A\".V Ch'OSS A'(ll/)S. 



189 



Grant at oikh' ti'lc<:Taplii'il l'\i>tcr to ailvaii<-f. ami tlif lattt-r 
rejiluMl lliat lie cimiM not do >o niitil lir u'ot tlic far> fnnninn' 
to Strawliiiiy I'lams and collectt'd sonic rations; that tlu- 
state ot" the I'oails and hnk of sn]i]ilies niiii'ht coniin-l him to 
take a |>ositi(ni and wait niitil in liftter eondition. 

( >n the 14tii onr troops heu'an consti'nftinu' hnts, tindini;- 
mati-rial in soiiu- way. and h_v the next niulit had <|nite coni- 
tortahle t|narters. 

On thcl.")th (Jiant wired Foster : "As soon as yon dcnn 
your position seenr*' ordfi- the 
Fonrth Corps to return to Chatta- 
iiooii'a." 'I'hat onh'r miuht have 
work('(l onr (K-lixfranee. i)nt nntor- 
tumUely llalleek wired Fostei" on 
tlu' sam*' thite : "The <;-i-eat o]>jeet 
to he kept in mind is to expel Loiiii"- 
street from l^ast Tt-nni'ssiT and kei'ji 
liiiu out. In all nnmu' matters yon 
will reeeive instructions tVoni (Jen- 
ei"al (irant."" 

( Ml the same <late advices from 
the trout iinlieated that Louijstreet s 

infantry was movinu' towards Kno.wille, and or(lcrs were 
issued for the Fourth Corps to advance to Uhiin's Cross 
Roads. Sheridan's division used the railway ami Wood's 
division marched. One locom(»tive and a ti-ain ot' tVeii^ht 
and tlat cars were kept in motion all nii;lit. and hy daylight 
of the IGth had transported Warner's and llarker's hrigades 
to Strawi)erry Plains. The l:2oth i»assed the gi^-ater part of 
the night at tlu- railway station in Kno.wille, waitiui:: <Mir 
turn on tlie train, and was one of the last regiments taken. 
We marched on the Ititli to the vicinity of Ulain's Cross 
Roads. The troops of the Xinth and Twenty-third Corps 
fell baek to the same line, the right of the line resting on 




190 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the Holston and the left extending westward beyond Clincli 
M on n tain. 

All the infantry remained on that line until the middle 
of January. Our cavalry covered the front. Both brigades 
from the Army of the Cumberland had sharp engagements 
with the enemy — on December 24 at Hay's Ferry and on 
December 29 at Mossy Creek. The weather turned cold. 
January 1, 1864, is still remembered and spoken of all over 
tlie country as the coldest ]Srew Year's day within the mem- 
ory of the present generation, and the soldiers who were 
then in East Tennessee have good reason 
to remember the day. 

After a da}' or two of waiting to 
develop tlie purpose of the enemy, the 
troops of the Fourth Corps, thinking the 
camp might be held for a short time, and 
having no tents, set about building huts. 
They were constructed of poles, leaving 
one end open ; rubber blankets served 
for rooting, leaves and twigs stuffed into 
the cracks checked the free course of the 
wind, and branches from pine trees made good beds. Log- 
heap tires in front made it possible for the occupants to keep 
from freezing when wide awake and giving undivided atten- 
tion to the subject. 

The following dis[)atch shows Granger's view of the 

situation at that time : 

Blain's Cross Roads, ) 
Pecemher 19, 18()3. f 
Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas : 

General: Tiie sullering and pi'ivatioiis now hriiiiz undcruone I)}' our 
troops are most cruel, I assure you. 

We have been now nearly a month without tents and clothing, and 
from the limited quantity of our trans{)ortation — only one wagon to a regi- 
ment — and being obliged to live upon the country, our rations have been 
very irregular and limited. 

AVe are now bivouacking at this ]ilace, twenty-two miles east of 
Knoxville, in the nuid and rain, and many of the command are falling sick 




WllJ.IA.AI S. Thoiix. C 



HARD IIMI-.S. 



\f)\ 



witli iiiifuiiiuiii:!, (liiirrliu'M, <\:c. Our <illici'is ;iif tlotiliitc i>i clutliiiii; ainl 
cookinjr uti-nsils, Ikmiil' uiiahli- to iinKiiic tlii'iu at Kiio.w illc A Mnall 
snpi)ly of rlotliinji and sliucs lias anivi'd, alxmt oiic-tliini of wliat i.s 
lUH'tlctl. Tlu' stock nt nuMlicinos and stationoiy in Knoxvillc is t-ntiivly 
exiiaustoil. Our Ixtuks and n-i-ords liavin^' bt'cn left luliind, wi- an- unal)K' 
tn make any rt'tiuiis. If it is di'ti'rniincd tliat we rciuain lu-rc tliis wintci-. 
I ri'sin'ctfully rt'(|ncst that tlu- First I)i\ it^inn of tiir ('orjts Ih' sent tn join 
us, and with thcni can lie sent our transi>orfation. liai^yajrc, camp and f.'arri- 
s'>n eiiuipa^c, to wliirh they can act as escort. 

I am, (.icncral, vt-ry respectfully, 

(t. CiltAXOKR, 

Miijor (ienrral ('(niunandnni. 

IIoi'C is iiiiotlicf (lispatcli slmwiiio- tin- (liHiciiltics snr- 
fomHliiiLi' tlu- [Kisitidii :it Uhiin's C'i'oss li(i;i(l>: 

III; Vmil AKTKKs I 

Foi urn Ait.MY Coups. 

I>e<endier •_'!. ISii;;. J 
.M A.ioi; (iiiNKUAi. I'auki;, ('iiunnanilinij : 

( iKNKitAi. : My f(ira;j;e trains for the past two days have found it im- 
possiliU- to procure a snllicieiit sui)ply, and report a 'jficat scarcity of fora'_'e 
in the surroundinir <'ountry. I have the honor to 
report this fact, an<l su^'^'est that a movement, 
either in advance on tlu' Hank or in retrograde, will 
he necessary in order that the command may he 
supplied with the necessary forage. From the hest 
information I can gather there is nothing this side 
of liuU's (rap, and the only forage Xo lu' ol»tained is 
on the south side of the Ilolstou liiver. I would, 
then-fori", suggest, that my command he ordered to 
that side of the river, so that we may ohtain the 
forage and subsistence to he atl'orded hy the country 
to supply our men and animals. I have heen 
iniluced to oiler these suggestions in coiisiileration 
of the importance of keeping the men and animals '""'^ '" '^'•^'•"- '• 

of the command in as good condition as possible under the circumstances. 
\'ery respectfully, your obi-dient servant, 

G. <tl{A.V(JKI{. 

Major <ln)i'r<i1 ('iminioiiflluij. 
Lrst it iiijiy l»e tlnMiu'lit tliiit the l'^•^l^tll ('ofps o-oiktuIs 
were disposed to inake the cnso worse tliaii tlie taets justified, 
we ii'ive here ati exti'Mi-t from tlio otticial i-eport ot (General 
Foster, ninde at'tei' he liad hem i\ liiv«'d iVoiii eoiiiuiaiid ot' 
the neiiai'tiiu'iit : 




k± 



192 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




" (Jexekal : I have the honor, in obedience to your directions, to make 
the following report of the operations of the Army of the Ohio while I was 
in command, and of the general condition of affairs in East Tennessee. I 
relieved Cieneral Bnrnside at Knoxville on the 12th of December, 1863. At 
that time the forces of the enemy under General Longstreet, comprising 
his own force that had been engaged in the seige of Knoxville, Ransom's 
division of infantry and Jones' division of cavalry, with which he had 
formed a junction, were supposed to be in full retreat towards Virginia. 
They were at tiiat time near Rogersville. General Parke, with the Ninth 
and Twenty-third Cori)S (10,000 infantry and the cavalry, 4,000 men) was in 
jiursuit, having his advance at Bean's Station. 
( icneral Shei'man was returning towards Chatta- 
nooga, leaving General Granger with the Fourth 
('or])s near Knoxville. As soon as General Long- 
street learned this latter fact, and that the force 
jiursuing him was small, he turned on General 
Parke's advance and repulsed it at Bean's Station. 
Advancing at once in his turn, he forced General 
Parke to fall back, first to Kutledge and afterward 
Id Blain's Cross Roads. Tiiis being a good jwsition 
I determined to make it the standpoint, and accord- 
ingly hurried up the Fourth Corps and every avail- 
able fighting man. General Longstreet, however, 
(lid not attack, in consequence probably of the very 
inclement weather, which then set in with such severity as to paralyze for 
a time the efforts of both armies. 

" Their numbers were equal, being 20,000 effective men each. 
" At this time (the 23rd of December, 1863) my horse fell with me 
upon a ledge of rocks and contused my wounded leg, already very much 
inflamed by constant riding, to such an extent as to confine me to my quar- 
ters. General Parke retained the active command of the forces in the field. 
The condition of the army was bad. The troops were suffering for want of 
tents, clothing, food and medicine. One-half of the men were unfit for a 
march for want of shoes or clothing. The issue of bread or meat rarely 
came uj* to one-quarter of the ration, while the continued feeding upon 
fresh meat caused sickness among the soldiers which we had no medicine 
to check. This state of things arose from the im])ossibility of getting sup- 
plies over the impassable roads from Kentucky and tlu' necessity of living 
on the country. The forage had become nearly exhausted, and had to be 
sought at distances vai-ying from ten to forty miles. The stock of ammu- 
nition was also limited. The enemy undoubtedly suffered privations 
similar to our own, for he soon retired to winter (piartt'rs at Morristown 

and Russellville. * 

".I. G. FosTEH, Major General. 

"Ma.I. (iEN. II. W. 1I\1.I,E(K, 

''General in Chief, U. <S'. -I." 



TlKIMAS E. TUDIBJJC, V 




■^Kii.ii. Naihan ^. Thomas, A (l.->y. 



VISIT FROM GENERAL GRANT. 193 

On DeceinlK'r 24, Foster rc'iiorted that Loiigstroet was 
moving his forces across in the direction of Morristttwn ; 
tliat he had crossed cavah'v under General Sturgis to advance 
and I'cfl the enemy, and tliat he could not light a general 
engagement until su}»plied with ammunition. Longstreet's 
removal from our front at Blain's Cross Koads eidarged the 
tield for foraging, hut did not add very much to the su}»ply 
as the t-ountry had heen travei'sed and gleaned hy lioth 
armies. 

On Decendjcr ol CJcneral Cirant arrived at Knoxville, 
and remained in the Department one week. Having seen 
for himself the necessities of the case, he went to work 
with his usual diligence to supply deficiencies. On .lanuary 
1, 1864, he wired to General Thomas as follows : " I arrived 
liere yesterday. vSend forward all the general sui)plies for 
Foster witli as little delay as possihie and 
clothing particularly.'" 

On January 8 he wired to llalleck as 
follows : 

" Owing to the want of clothinfr, particularly 
shoes-, in Foster's command, it is impossible to move 
more than tiO per cent, of his men until they are 
supplied. Clothing is now on the way and it is 
hoped will be in Knoxville within one week from 
this time. I have directed Foster then to attack 
and drive I^ongstreet at least beyond Bull's Gap 
and Red Bridire. In the meantime I have directcil 
tile ^intli and ihirty-tlnrd C.ori>s to lie jiushed on 

to Mossy Creek, the Fourth (.'(irjis to .Strawberry Plains and the cavalry to 
Dandridge, to scout and forage south of the French Broad and threaten 
l^ongstreet's tlank." 

The subsistence problem continued to be troublesome. 
The following report is a sample of others equally discour- 
aging that were made from time to time : 

"Knoxville, Jan. (i. lSf;4. 
"General Wood, Commanding Third Dirision, Fourth Corps: 

"The pontoon bridge at this i)lace is gone and not a bushel of wheat 
is I'nming in, consequently the mills here have lieen stopped. I can send 




T94 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




no fresh bread to your division for some days to conae. The last boat up 
did not bring a pound of bread, and there is not a pound of bread or flour 
in town. Hence the last stores that went will have to be nicely economized 
for fear of the worst." ■■ * 

Here is one of Sheridan's dispatches : 

January 11, 1864. 

Major General Granger: 

My division has been on less than hah" rations for some days, and are 

sufierintf fi-om liunuer. We have no forage for the animals and none can be 
jirocured. Colonel Harker started for Bean's Station 
or vicinity yesterday to try and get some, and with- 
out anything to eat for his officers and men. I desire 
to make you acquainted with these facts, and ask 
that my division be removed to some other locality, 
wliere I can better help my troops. I also respect- 
fully rei>ort that eight bales of blankets, sent to me 
by my Quartermaster, were taken at the depot at 
Knoxville. These were very much needed, as many 
of the men have no blankets. Is there no God in 

Israel ? 

P. H. Sheridan, 

Major Gent'rnl. 

" "^ ' ■ ^ '^ ' ' It was not a very unusual thing that 

winter for troops to start out on a foraging expedition on 
empty stomachs. Many survivors of Barker's brigade will 
recall the particular expedition referred to in Sheridan's dis- 
patch. We marched about twenty miles and camped near a 
meeting-house. On the 11th the command searched for pro- 
vender for man and beast, meeting with some success, and 
returned at night to the bivouac near the church. Several 
of the foraging parties were fired on by the enemy's cavalry 
picketing on the other side of the river. On the 12th we 
marched back to our camp at Blain's Cross Roads. 

The following dispatches are of interest, and show the 
progress of events down to the movement on Dandridge : 

Knowille, Jan. 12, 18(14. 
Ma.i. (ten. U. S. Grant: 

The cold weather and high rivers have made things worse; many ani- 
mals are dying daily ; the pontoon bridge at this place has been broken twice 
sinye vou left by high water and floating ice. As soon as the bridge at Straw- 



n/S/'. I TCHES. 



»95 



Ix'iTV I'liiins is duiic ami tin- wcatlicr iiiuilcniU's. I >liall muvf iwo y\\\\\-i to 
Damlriii;.'!' til iilitaiii t(>ia;:«' ami corn ami wlicat. Kvriytliinn is eaten (»iit 
n<irtli ol'tlic llolston Kivcr, also nearly everytiiinyiw eaten npat Mn.«sy Creek. 
My move to I'remli Hroail River is, tlierefore, ren<ierei| ini|ierativ('. S<jme 
tiuarterniaster stores have arriveil, l»nt not in snllicieiit (|uantity. No 
rations l»y last lioats. Am entirely destitnte of IneaM, coU'ee ami sujrar. 
Have tele;:rai»iie<l this to (ieneral Thomas. Trnst yon may Ik' alile to raiw 
tiu' anionnt ol supjilies l>y river. The weatiier is inten.sely eold, with one 
inih of snow <>n tlie ^nuind. 

.1. < I. FoSTKK, 

Mujur (jfiifral. 



N.\srivii.i,i:. Tkns., .Tan. l"). ls(;4. 
Maj. <;i:n. 11. \V. II M.i.Kt K : 

(iK.NEH.M. : I rearhed here the »'venin)jrof the iL'thon myretnrn from Kast 
Tennessee. I felt a i»arti<nlar an.xiety to have I.on;;street driven ont from 
Kast Tennessee, antl »vent there with tlii' intention of taking such steps as 
wr>nlil secure this eml. 1 found, however, a lar>;e |>art of Foster's command 
sutlerin;.' for want of clothinj;, especially shoes, .«o that in nu advance* not 
to exceed two-tliird's of his men could ho taken. 
The <litHcultii'S of supi)lyin;r these are such that to 
send reinforcements at present would he to put the 
whole on insutlicient rations. for their sujiport. 

r. S. (iU.V.VT, 

Mnjiii' (Iruertil. 
K sown. I. K. .Fan. l'», jstll. 

Ma.I. (iKN. r. S. ( MtANT: 

The Strawberry IMams liridu'e is coni|>leted : 
also the jiontoon hridjie at this place so that it will 
stand I think. No su]iplies have arrived for a week 
hy river. The liread rations are entirely exhausted. 
I an» forced to ahamlon all idea of active oiu-rations 

lor the present and to place the army when- it can n.-m. (iunrUTinnsUT. 
live hy forav'inj:. The Fourth Corps is now niovinir 

for l>andridj,'e and the Twenty-thinl Corps for Mossy Creek. (Jeneral 
Stur;.Ms, with all the cavalry, is in front of I)an<lridye near Kimhron^'irs 
Cross Koail.-i. I purpo.M- to hold all the country, :and tin- forage in it.'^n tin- 
south and i'ast of tin- French flroad, as Lon^'street luu* exhausted all the 
supplies in his vicinity ami is now forced to send across the river for fora^re 
and >.'rain. I presume some jtortion of our forces will he in almost «-onstant 
collision if we succecil in holdins;. as I expect l/>n>irstre»'t cannot lonjf remain 
where he is. He is now hnildiu;,' a pontoon hri'lije across the Xola Chucky, 
near Warrenhurir. .1. tJ. FosTKU, 

Major fjtiirriil. 




196 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Losses in the 125th for the mouths of November and 
December, 1863, in addition to those noted as occurring in 
the battle of Mission Ridge, were as follows : 

By death — David Lloyd, of A, at Chattanooga; James 
M. Tidd, of B, at Kashville ; Frank Niner, of D, at Louis- 
ville ; Robert Peyeatt, of D, at Chattanooga ; Richard M. 
Elliott, of G, at Youngstown, 0. ; Francis S. Krumm, of H, 
at Blain's Cross Roads ; Gains S. Harvey, of H, at Chatta- 
nooga ; Thomas Wilkinson, of II, at JSTashville ; John Ed- 
wards, of I, at Chattanooga; Martin L. Wright, of I, at 

Chattanooga. 

Discharged on surgeon's certili- 
cate of disability — Aaron Schroy, ot 
A; James Dennj-, of F; John G. 
Rotterdam, of G; Daniel D. Bugby; 
of 11. 

Transferred to Veteran Reserve 
Corps — James Paden, of B; Thomas 
M. Thompson, Chauncey B. Hayden 
and John Fenton, of C; Thomas C. 
Evans, of D ; Henry H. McEllienny, 
Abraham Hawkins and Ira 0. Case, 
of E. 

While at Blain's Cross Roads 
the troops of tlie Fourth Corps were given the privilege of 
veteranizing, L c, of re-enlisting for tliree years longer, and 
those who did so were promised a furlough for thirty days. 
JSTearly all signed the rolls without hesitation or delay. The 
promised furlough had little or no inliuence on that result, 
because it was to be granted only when the exigencies of the 
service should i)crmit, and there was not just then any llat- 
tering prospect of an early fulfillment of the promise. At 
best only a few could go home at one time. Tlie 19tli and 
41st Ohio of Wood's division and 2Gth and (!4th Ohio in ours 
were first to draw }trizes and start home. 




Capt. Cullex Bkadley (1895). 
Gtli Ohio Light Artillery. 



COM PAN y K AR R 1 1 7:.S. 



197 



On JiiinKiry 4 tlu' iiu'ii of the IJ.Mli >iii-iicil the rolls and 
beii'iin to tigiU'L' on tin- |)rosj)ects ot" a t'lirlMiinli. li hcvit 
oaine. Later on we were advised that only those i-euinieiits 
that had served more than two years of tlieir first term would 
he atHH'jited as veterans. That dccisidii did not pri-vent us 
from sei'ving to the end ot" the ^var, hut it (hd ile|>rive us of 
a visit to home and loved ones and of a \ eteran's niethil i»ro- 
vided hy tlie State of Oliio for those only who re-eidisted 
under that eall, and worn hy thousands who saw less actual 
ser\iee and fewer l)attles than other thousands who enlisted 
first in lonu'-term reu'iments under the call of duly, 18(12. 
The latter were not wanted in the fall of 18)11. Ohi(/s (juota 
ot three-year regiments was tilled, and no more three-year 
men were called for until in July following-. ( )liio hoys went 
into the army as fast as the govern- 
ment was ready for them — could 
clothe, equij* and use them, and it is 
not (juite just that those volunteers 
first in should have received a recog- 
nition of service not accorded to 
others e(|Ually patriotic, hi'ave and 
useful. 

On danuary Iftli, Lieut. Col. 
David 11. Mot)re joined the ngi- 
mrnt. hringing with him C'(Un[iany 
K and a large numhcr ot" couvah's- 
eents, among the latter many ot' our 
comrades who had recovered fr(»m wounds i-ercivcd at 
Chickamauga or Missiomiry Kidge. 

The officers of C'om[iany K were ("attain Stcilini;- Man- 
chester, First J/ieut. Waldern S. Williams, JSecon<l Lieut. 
Samuel lleikes. On the date they joined we were ordered 
to march ui'Xt morning for handridge. Jiefore entering 
u{ion an aci-ount ot" the l)andi-idge <am[iaign and Itattle, it 
will he convenient togivi- an account of ('om]ian\' Iv*s trip 




l;.il!l.l:r. W. I11..M 



198 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



from Oliio, and of the lively skirmish in which that company 
participated on their way to the front, at Charleston, Teun. 
Lieutenant Colonel Moore left Ohio with Compan}^ Iv 
December 3 ; reached Chattanooga a week later, and went 
into camp with the convalescents and recruits gathered there. 
The officers and men belonging to the Fourth Corps were 
armed and equipped and organized for a march to Knoxville 
in charge of a wagon train. Colonel Laibold commanded 
the entire force, about two thousand five hundred men. 
Lieutenant Colonel Moore was in command of the detach- 
ment belonging to the 3rd Brigade of our division — 530 
officers and men. 

The command marched December 24, and went into 
camp six miles out on the road to Cleveland. That evening 
the enemy sent in a Hag of truce on some 
plausible pretext, but really to " spy out 
the land." It w^as hardly to be expected 
that they would let a train of 150 wagons, 
loaded with supplies and guarded by con- 
valescents and recruits, pass along without 
trouble. Xext day (Christmas) Laibohl 
made twenty-two miles, and on the 26th 
marched in a drenchin.g rain to CleveUmd. 
On the 27th the march was resumed, 
' ' 'i\i:k,c ,^^-jJ ^|-^g command camped at Charleston. 

During the night the rainfall ceased and the weather turned 
cold. On the morning of the 28th the command was ready 
for the road early, and while waiting for tlie wagons to get 
under way were attacked by Wheeler's cavalry. The first 
shots by the skirmishers gave all the notice required as the 
attack was ex}>ected, and Laibokl's line was quickly formed, 
Colonel Moore's command on the left of the line. When 
all was ready Laibold ordered his lines to advance, and iairly 
drove the enemy from his }»ositi()n and forced him to retreat, 
losing two killed and ten wounded, the enemy's loss being 




FIGHT AT CHARI ESTOX, TJ'.W. 



199 



elcvt'ii kilk-d and thirty wouiidod, IjcskU's 1:)1 tiikcii prison- 
ers. Lieiitenanant Colonel Mooiv's detaclinu-nt had charge 
ot" tlu' jirisoncrs dnrinu- the day. It \\a< a haiidsonic I'cjiulse 
and enabled Company K to eonie tn the front dniy initiated 
and tested nnder tii'e. 

Tlu' enemy ilid not aekn-iwlrdu'e the t'nil extent i»t" thi'ir 
faihii'e and looses, as is shown hy the following account 
taken iVom the Richmond 7i//7'/'/< /• tuxl Exdniitirr iA' .^\\\\\\- 
ary IS, 1804: 

Dai.ton, Dec. :.'s, i,';^;;;. 
Intelligence liaviiij^ reaclu'd liere day heliiie yestenlay tliat a larj^e 
wagon train Itelonging to the enemy was moving towards Kiioxviilc, Major 
General Wheeler was ordereil to take what trooii>^ 
of his coniniand could he spared from the front and 
if i)Ossil)le capture it. Mis force UiOO .strong, under 
command of Brigadier (icMu-ral Kelly, reac-lied 
Clevelantl yesterday morning. Here he found the 
train had not pursued that route, and \\v pushed 
forward to Charleston, where he encountereil a 
brigade of the enemy and drr)ve them to their re- 
serves within two miles of the jtlace. Our little 
hand ha<l the mortification to .«!ee the last of the 
train pass through the town safely. The enemy's 
force heing comi»uted at (>0(M) infantry, onK'rs were 
given to fall liack, when a cavalry force of .")(Mio 
strong which had lieeii tliiown out to (lank our 
troops, was observed, and their object completely foiled hy the skill of 
our commander. Tlie enemy a|)iiroached cautiously as if ajiprehensive of 
amhuscade, and evinced no dis]iosition to charge hut kept up a lire with 
rt'VolviMs. Our retn-at was conducted witii consummate skill and success. 
Lieutenant Porter, of (ieneral Wheeler's staff, was indehteil to his courage 
and coolness for a narrow I'scape. Two <if the enemy had their sahers 
drawn over his head and demanded his surrender, when he di'liherately 
ilrew his j»istol, kille<l one, and the other (led after discharging his revolver 
through that odict'r's overcoat. Our casualties sum U|> two killeil, five 
wi>unde<l, and six prisoner-^: on the part of the enemy six killed and ten or 
twelve wounded. 




.U>>i: ( AiiKV. li. 



The I'ollowing extracts tVoiu a diary ^how the snh.se- 
quent experience of Colonel Moore's eoinmaml up to the 
date of arrival at the front : 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Loudon, Jan. 4, 1864 — Our wagons are nearly all across. 
Our only means of ferrying are two small flatboats, each 
carrying a single six-mule team at a trip. To-morrow will 
see the last wagon across. It will take two or three clays 
more to transfer the troops. The town has a ruinous 
ap})earance ; indeed it is a ruined town. It has historic 
importance as the scene of one of Burnside's victories, 
decisive of the fate of East Tennessee. A glorious country 
this, the very best I have seen in the South. It is worth 
iighting for. 

January 6. — Yer}' cold. Troops are 
crossing. The 41st and 19th Ohio here 
en ronfe for home on veteran furlough. 
Our Sergeant Major, Freeman Collins, 
came down with them, and reports our 
regiment at Blain's Cross Roads, twenty- 
two miles beyond Ivnoxville and lifty-two 
from here. 

January 7 — Still cold; misty towards 
night, ending with snow. Our brigade 
detachment commenced crossing the river at noon. Got all 
over by 3 o'clock. Camped to wait for Third Division 
detachments to cross. Rations very scarce, also some articles 
of wearing apparel. Many barefooted. 

January 8. — The men are suffering for food. In the 
afternoon an issue of one-fourth ration of coffee, one-third 
ration of pork, with promise of flour. We have a foraging 
l)arty out under Wagonmaster Harris, of our regiment. A 
woman applied for a property guard. Made her promise to 
feed them well and gave her two. Would like to farm out 
the entire command on the same terms while the famine 
continues. 

Januar}' — Beautiful day but very cold. The 26th and 
G4th Ohio liere en route for home. My forage party does 
well ; brought in fifteen sheep last night and eighteen more 




Wn.LIAM \'KSEV, ]5. 



BATTLE OF PAX PRl !)(; E. 201 

ami ()\w lioi't to-iiiii'lit. Li'iii^strcet ciMssnl tlii'LH- milts 
hclow Ihtc uikK'I' roviT i)t" lit-avy ijuns, ami iliovi- liuriis'uU. 
hack step by stop to Kiioxvillo. Kast Ti'iiiiossee is lieiicc- 
t'ortli — nearly c'Vi'Pv foctt of it — liistorit- irroiuul. Wt- nianli 
ill the iiioniiiig tor JJIaiii's Cross Roads. 

HAITI. K OF I)AM>1;IIm;K. 



Two divisions of the Foiiitli ('oi|i> and one divi-ioii <»(" 
the Twenty-third Corps niaiehed trom the vicinity «»f lilain's 
Cross lii»a<ls on daniiarv 1'), 1S(J4, under orders to eross the 
Ilolston and procn-d to Dandridiifi' on the French Uroad 
River, takr a jiosition that conld In- held ai^d tn cdlleet suh- 
sisteiu-e and torai;e. The foniinand reatln-d l)andridii'e on 
tlie afternoon of the liJth. (M-nerai Lon<rst!\'«.'t ni<>v*Ml dnwn 
at oiici' to di>pnte our occupation ut that territory, and hi^ 
cavalry was luigaijed during the afternoon 
of thi- liith hv our caxalrv corps. 

( >n tiic morning of thi- ITth the 
12.jtli Oliio, I/ieiiti'iiant Colonel Moore 
coninianding, was detailed for jiicket 
duty, and the other ri'ginu'iils ot' IIarker'> 
brigade proceeded to convert the wagon 
train into a bridge across the French 
]3r<»ad. In the afternoon, before the 
l»ridge was coni|ileted. the eiieiiiy made 
their attack. 

(>ur cavalry oorjts luid l)een withdrawn from the lino 
occupied on the Idth, and had formed a short <listance inside 
of the infantry picki-t line.- The reserve of the li.'."»th was 
(Ml the Iteiid ot" C-hiicky roa«l, in ailvanee of a small creek 
near a house, theri- being another house and outlniildiiigs on 
the road fiirtlier out. The outposts were on tlie erest of a 
ridge about one-cjuarter of a mile in advance of the reserve, 
and connected on the right witli outi>()sts of the n.''rd ( >hio. 



■^•ft*.. 




.Ia>. 1.. .Vi.. 11 1.1.. 11 ,..-..1, 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



of Wood's division, picketing thence to the river. Immedi- 
atel}' in rear of the reserve was a ridge, on the left of the 
road were open fields, and on the right, opposite the reserve, 
was a field bounded on three sides by open timber. Part of 
the cavalry, moving back to their new position, passed 
through our line, and the troopers informed us that the 
enemy was advancing, and would make that vicinity too hot 
for a picket line. Later the outposts were attacked furiously 
and driven in. Companies A and C, retiring on the right, 
remained deployed as skirmishers and halted at the edge ot 
the woods, on our side of the field ; part of Company F 
came back along the road, and the rest with all of Company 
I retired to our lelt and joined the reserve. 

Colonel Moore posted the regiment in a depression on 
the left of the road that aftorded fair protection to the men 
wlien lying down. By the time the out- 
posts had joined the regiment, the ridge 
on our front, and as far as we could see to 
right and left, was covered with Confed- 
erates, and their skirmishers were push- 
ing forward wherever they found cover, 
keeping up a continuous fire. Before 
long they opened with artillery. Under 
cover of the artillery fire they advanced 
lines on both flanks, our fire apparently 
ma.i. (iK.N.. I.N.I. (i.TAi;Ki:. ij^jiig hotter than they cared to face in a 
direct advance. Colonel Moore discovered a line advancing 
on our left through a cornfield, and ordered the regiment to 
rise up and fire by rank left oblique, when the Confederate 
line retreated to the base of the ridge. Next a line advanced 
to the edge of the timber on the right of the road and gave 
us a hot fire from the right flank, which continued until 
Garrard's 1st Brigade of Cavalry advanced, our Companies 
A and C! advancing at the same time, when the enemy fell 
back, i-elicving us from the cross-flre. Tlie enemy, however, 




liATTl.E OF PAXPR/DGK. 



[Hdiinitly ri'toriiu'il liis line ami auain :i<l\ aiicfcl. driviiiLT niir 
jifopU- in turn Kack to the timlicr at uui- i-ii:'lit rear. It was 
Itv that tiiut' iiTowiiiii' dark, and Colonol Moure \\a> iirdficd 
to I'l'tirc. We nittvrd ont siU-ntly, lioj.inu" to iiain tlic top of 
tilt' lidi in oiir rear witlioiit Itrinu" ohservccl, Wnt tlir nioxr- 
nuMit was discovered, and we eiUiglit a liot tiie wliiU' aseeud- 
iiiij- the hill. Alter jiassiiii^ to the rear of the cavalry line, 
the rei:;inient was halti-d loni;- enouii'h to hnild a lari^i' innnher 
of canip fires, that the enemy niiuht think we were encainiicd 
for the nii^ht, and we then marched ott' towards Sti'awherry 
JMains, mai'chini;^ all night, haltini; tor an iiour or two ahoiit 
daylii::ht, then resuunnii- the march 
and arrived at Strawherry IMains 
atter m>on, goinu' into hivmiac with 
the l)rigado after crossing the II td- 
ston. But for tlu' tortnnate ])osition 
selected hy Colonel Moore and his 
excellent nianagenu'nt. the 125th 
would have Iteeli routed without 
douht, and our losses would have 
heen far greater. As it was we lo>t 
Lieut. Seahury A. Smith, acting Ad- 
jutant, and three men killed, seven 
men seriously and seven h'ss danger- 
ously wounded, and seven men captured, five of wlioni di<'d 
in Andersonville Prison: total, twenty-tive. 

tieneial Parke, tlw seni<tr gt'ncial |>resent, had decidi-d 
not to I'isk a general engagement, and tor that reason starte<l 
the main hody of infantry towards Strawlierrv Plains, leav- 
ing the cavalry to hold the enemy oil" until dark, ami then 
to cover the retreat. <)ui- own regiment and the !t^»rd Ohio 
were prohably left hehind ijccause it was imprai-tieahle to 
get them out after they became engaged. The commanders 
of the two infantry regiments engaged apjtear not to have 
nuide official reports ot the action. The ofKcers of the cav- 




.11.1 r. >i \ r.i i: \ \ 



204 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



airy corps made full reports, in which the infantry regiments 
are mentioned incidentally. We quote from these reports to 
give a fuller general description of the engagement : 

Brig. Gen. S. D. Sturgis, commanding the cavalry corps, 
reported : 

" Colonel Wolford was ordered to take the right of our line on the 
-ferry road, his right resting on the French Broad Eiver, two miles above 
Dandridge ; Garrard's division in the center covering the Chucky road, con- 
necting with Colonel Wolford's left and Colonel McCook's right, whose 
division held the Bull's Gap and Mossy Creek roads. 

" Receiving information about noon on the 17th that the enemy was 
no doubt preparing for an attack, I ordered my command to form line of 
Ijattle in the order above indicated, and awaited his 
advance. 

"At 4 1'. M. tlie enemy drove in one regiment of 
our infantry picketing inside of my videttes on our 
extreme right, and advanced with great fury on our 
left, attacking Colonel McCook's division. A bat- 
tery was then pusiied forward by the enemy, shell- 
ing our center to cover the advance of his strong 
line of infantry. 

" My whole line was now engaged, and the 
regiment of our infantrj^ in front of Colonel Gar- 
rard's division compelled to give way, so that the 
cavalry was on this occasion engaging the entire 
force of the enemy's cavalry and three brigades of 
infantry of Johnson's and Hood's divisions. 

" The fighting was desperate, our troops charging repeatedly and 
driving the enemy from his positions, our troops not falling back to the 
ground held by them in the afternoon until after dark, when the enemy 
moved up strong lines of pickets close to our lines." 

The infantry regiment reported by General Sturgis as 
driven in on the extreme right was the 93rd Ohio. The 
statement that the regiment of our infantry in front of 
■Colonel Garrard was compelled to give way, refers to the 
125th and to the driving in of our outposts to the line of 
the reserve. The regiment did not retire from the position 
it occupied as reserve until after dark. 

Col. Frank Wolford, commanding the First Cavalry 
Division, reported : 




Ellsworth Peck, 13. 



01- J- 1 C I A 1. RE PORTS. 



"The t'lifiiiy :iilv;iiicfil in coii^iilfiiililf iiiiiiiImts iiih.ii ;i iciriim-iit nf 
our infantry ilt.";!il oliioi wliicli liml (Itiiluyt'il as sUinnislicrs in niy liunt. 
Aftfi a sliarp cnntcst tlicy wni' ilrivcn in ami puisiiiil w illi j:rcat Miry. 1 
iviiilorrcd tlic infantry witli a |>art ^A tlic iL'tli Kciilutky Cavalry (<lis- 
innuntfd). Thuyweif not aMf to resist tin- attack, ami tVll liark. I then 
atlvaiKfil my wlmlc line tt» nu-i't tlu* eiK'niyainl icidilscil liim, ilriv iiiL- tlnni 
hark into tlif wixiils, when niirlit caiiM' nn." 

C'()l<»iK'l Isi'ai'l < iaiTanl, fi'iiiiuaiidiiiu" t he sccoihI cnvalry 
division, i'c'[M»i't(.'(l : 

■■ I furnictl in liiu' <>n tlu- lnnw uf the liank of the fici-k, on tht- li-lt of 
the lieml of the Clnu-ky mail, my ri'rht eoinnmnieatin;: with Colonel Wol- 
fonl's command and my left with Coloiu-l McCook's c<tmmaml. Across the 
crtH'k and out ahout a quarter of a mile, was the reserve of the infantry 
j.ickct jMist. The infantry was, I heUeve. the TJoth Ohi<i, Colonel Moore. 

"In front of my lirst hri^rade on the ri^rht was o))en liclds. In front 
of the second hri^rade was iieavy woods, extending.' to tlic to]i of the large 
hill, or rather double hill, which extendi-d all tiie way across (uir front. 
From the Morristowu road to the bend of Chncky 
road in front ami to the riirht of my position was a 
heavy forest on a jilain, or rather level ground. At 
the front edge of this forest a scattering picket liriiii: 
had continue<l for an hour, when a heavy and sus- 
tained tiring began on the extreme k'ft of the front 
near the >b>rristown road. The .Srond Urigade, 
under Lieutenant Colonel lUitler, ilisniouiited and 
pushed forward rapidly, taking jiositioii on tiie right 
of tiie forces engaged. They charged at once, and 
the rebel force fell ba<-k and were driven out of the 
woods and from the left half of ijie bii: liill. The 
rebels kept the right slo|pe of tin' hill and had a 
battery near the base of it wliidi commanded our 
position on the creek. \ portion of the rebel force moved over from the 
hill to the woods on the right of the road and drove our forces out of the 
woods, and reached a j»osition fron. which they attacked the infantry line 
to great ailvantage. They phued one or two guns in jxisition at the edge of 
the woods. A few shots from my guns silenced them. I now onlered the 
Second Brigade back to the lirst i)osition on tin- bank overlooking the 
ereek. The infantry fell back and fcuiiied on my right. Colonel Moon- 
ri'portetl to me tliat he had l)nt ten rounds of ammunition. I ordered him 
to tall back toward Pandridge. It was now night, but the moonlight 
enabled us to gee tiiat the enemy were «'stablishing their lines Jopjiosite to 
ours and moving bodies of troops in our vicinity. * ' About !• o'clo('k 

I received orders to march, leaving jiickets. * 




IJUKi. (.tKN. 1. (i.M(K.VIU). 



206 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



"The losses in my command were three killed and twelve wonnded 
in the Second Brigade, one killed and two wounded in the First Brigade." 

Col. Edward McCook, commanding the left division of 
cavalry, reported that his 1st Brigade was on the Mossy Creek 
road when the engagement commenced ; ^vas bronght up to 
the left of his 2nd Brigade, but was not engaged, and refers 
to the report of Colonel LaGrange for details of the part 
taken by his 2nd Brigade. 

Colonel O. H. LaGrange, commanding the 2nd Brigade 
of McCook's division, reported : 

" A brigade of rebel cavalry, under 
Colonel Harrison, attacked one of the pickets 
of this brigade which was posted on an emi- 
nence to the right of the Morristown road, 
two miles from Dandridge. As soon as the 
tiring commenced the 1st Wisconsin w^as or- 
dered out at a trot, and dismounted at the 
foot of the wooded hill on which our picket 
was posted, for the purpose of occupying it 
l)efore the enemy and holding it against him. 
He, however, drove back our pickets so rap- 
idly that he was enabled to open a flank tire 
before the regiment was brought into action." 

The report then goes on to de- 
tail the incidents of the action,* in 
which the entire brigade took part. Their flank was turned 
by cavalry charging to capture their led horses, and by the 
time that danger was averted, a front attack by infantry 
forced them back to their original line, by which time it 
was dark. 

That fight was to our left and no part of it seen or heai-d 
by us, the proceedings in our immediate vicinity absorbing 
our undivided attention. In fact, we did n(»t know the full 
extent of the lines or of the engagement. The losses in 
LaGrange's brigade were three killed, twenty-six wounded, 
seventeen missing; total, forty-eight. They captured nine- 
teen of the enemy. 




Anton Misi.ek, II. 



\r DANPRinCE. 



207 



Genc'i-iil Loiigstreet reported : 

'■(>ii tlir 17tli a part of IldiMl's ilivisiuii was nuivcil (iowii ti> the 
(MU'iiiy's imnu'iliati' fmnt. Tlu' sliarpsliuoh'is nf tliis division wiTi- onlfii'il 
to advaiifc a;.'aiiist tlie i-iu'iny's U-ft liaiik.aiid Martin's cavalry ((lisiiiouiiti'd) 
wi'ie oriU'itMl to follow this niovi-, ailvanciiiir in tin- enemy's front. The 
battalion of shaipshooters were tlosely snp|Miite(l hy the main force of the 
division, the immediate oliject lieinL: to '_'ain a lavoral>le position for future 
operations." 

llatl (iein'ial Taike sent the Fourth Corjis into action 
tlic em-iiiy would liax'c liecii dfiveii otl" easily. <Ji"ano-er. 
Sliefidan and Wnod weic di.-Liii-led with the ofcjef td I'etreat. 
and rejiorted to ha\e \\>vC[ vifv \ ieorons laiiii'iiaoe in e-Xjii-L'S- 
ini»' tlicif <>i>iniiins ot the pfoet'eding. 

The iMiivenieiits ol" tlu' next tV'W day- weic njMni the 
tlieoiythat Loiiostroet liad been I'e- 
intofeud and was |ii'o]»al)ly moving to 
invest Knoxville, The truth api»eai's 
toljetliat Longstreet had not lieen I'e- 
infoi'ced, but liad advanced to prevent 
the occupation of Daiidridgi". and 
when our tofces i-i-tfeated he ordei'cd 
a vio-<»foiis [uir>iiit. hopiii^- to o'ain 
substantial advantages, but the 
almost inipassaltic condition of the 
foads ami the ditliciilty of sidtsistiny; 
oi>erated against liim. 

The tollowing letter, written 
two days after the tight, <,nves a irood account of the part 
taketi l»y the lij.dh : 

SrnAwiiKijKV I'l. AiNs, .Ian. I'.i, istil. 
pKAiacsT Will-;: 

Have an opportunity to send you a line liy l»r. Mellenry, who l'ocs 
with our sick and wounded to Knoxville. Last Saturday, the l(ith, wi- 
reacheil I>andridj:e. There had Keen skirmishin;.' all day. We were imme- 
diately ordered out to repel an attack. Colonel Opdycki-'s ik'niid»riirade 
was held a.-s a reserve. The rehs were driven with easi-. Next mornin<.,' I 
received an order to report with the reL'iment for picket duty, and t-M.k out 




WaI TKK ClII.M > < ' 1^'.' 



2o8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS. 



my regiment ; 93rd Ohio on my right, and a brigade of cavalry commanded 
by Colonel LaGrange, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, Pearly Newton's Colonel, on 
my left. We had a large part of our outpost line in an open field, through 
which the main I'oad to the enemy passed. My reserves were posted to 
the right and left of this open ground in woods ; my grand reserve, under 
my immediate control, in rear of the above. I asked in vain for another 
regiment to picket in rear of cavalry on the left. It was promised but it 
did not come. The rebels were in plain sight. At noon the videttes were 
engaged ; by 3 o'clock my outposts were attacked. Their reserve went im- 
mediately to their support. The fight became general and severe. The 
cavalry were driven back, which enabled the enemy to turn my left flank. 
The skirmishers then were thrown back on the grand reserve, which was 

now attacked vigorously. I had placed it in 
a semi-circular natural rifle pit, and had the 
men to lie down. When we were attacked I 
opened fire ujion them by rank. I soon drove 
them back and silenced their fii'e on my left 
and immediate front. As soon as I would 
cease firing they would begin again, and then 
we would go at it. The 7th Ohio Cavalry, at 
tlic beginning of the fight, were drawn up 
ou the hill beyond a creek in my rear. Saw 
■'^let" Mitchell and Si. Long. Sent my 
compliments to Major Norton, and told 
Mitchell to tell them, " The 125th Ohio is in 
yf)ur front." My skirmishers on the right. 
Companies A and C, under the general super- 
vision of Captain Bates, fought magnificently. 
They charged repeatedly upon the enemy, 
and drove him l)ack, only in turn to be driven by overwhelming numbers 
themselves. The enemy's artillery played upon us furiously. No sup- 
port came to our rescue. The cavalry had disappeared from the hill in 
our rear. Our two guns there did the liest they could, but could not check 
the enemy. Lieut. S. A. Smith, acting Adjutant, was shot dead from his 
horse by my side. You remember him. Anotlier was killed on my right 
and one wounded on my left. Nothing but the nature of the ground saved 
my men from slaughter. God directed me to the position I took up. The 
volleys from the concealed force dismayed the enemy. Their sharpshooters 
fired upon us from the tree tops. Smith Avas killed by one. When he fell I 
was without an aide, and asked for a volunteer orderly to mount his horse. 
Little Johnny Simi)son, Company G, volunteered and behaved nobly. I 
never saw men stick together and light so desperately. The new company 
behaved like vetei-ans. But all in vain. It was night. No instructions, 
no orders, no reinforcements ; the enemy in still augmenting force closing 
upon us, stretching away beyond both my flanks. Tlie 93rd Ohio had 




./ [.i:t'1'i:r. 



209 



retired; the TJotli was ali me ; sinli heiiiL' t lie case. 1 reliieiaiill\ retinil my 
men, amidst a stnrm <il lead, aeross the ereek iij) !<> the liill lievoinl, <iii the 
crest (if wliich I re-f<>rmeil them and sent in andther volley, \viii<h cliecked 
their advanc*' I'nr tiie ni^iht. Several of my command were wounded wiiilst 
crossing; the stream, ami one killed. The ordi-rly was shot in the arm, and 
at the top of the hill received another shot in the side, and his horse was 
killetl. 1 shall believe that the desperate ;rallantry of my command savetl 
tile town and forces from capture. Still waited impatiently for orders. My 
flanks were iinjirotected, my command liable to ca]itnre. At this jiuictnre 
dismounted cavalry, nnder Colonel (iarranl. 7th ( ». \'. 1.. advanced as skir- 
mishers to crest of hill. I reported to him. an<l receivol |iermission to 
return to crest of hill luxl in rear of cavalry, when I had arms stacked, 
anil aft«'r tlirowin;r out advanced ^rnard had my im-n rest. Could lind no 
infantry yet. a stran'_'e tliinjr it seemed wlu-n I considered there wire two 

entire divisions, W I's and Sheridan's, tliere t hat imirMin'j: neither did 1 

receive any orders. 

Sent fatlKiH' party out on my ri^rht to build tires on the hill, to represent 
camps of ret^iinents, to make the n'bels belii'Ve fresh troops had arrived. 
Sent Captain Uates, acting Major, to wlio.se 
valualile services I am jrreatly indebted, to 
emleavor to eonimuiiicate with headnuarters 
for orders. He returned at len^'th. and after 
a while a Wisconsin reirimeiit of cavalry re- 
lieveil us, and we, as ordered, procee<le<l to 
join our brigade, and then we learned that 
prei)arations for retri'at had been going <in all 
day. Colonel Opdyckt-'s demi-brigade had 
been out liard at work buiMing bridges. 11- 
i/r;r lejl iinjtroltxhd Jar frar of hrinijiiiij mi a 
ijeneral fnini(jemr)il, as I.ongstreet was reganled \jfg0' 
as too strong for us. The new routt> was g^ 

found inijira<ti»'able, and the retreat to Straw- 
berry Plains was made |irincipally over the 
road upon which we advanced. Mv lo.ss is 
tive killed and thirteen wounded, and per- 
haps a few missing. Colomd Marker, our brigade commander, an<l (ieneral 
Sheridan, our division c<iniinander, who witne.«sed jmrt of our tigliting, 
l)ron<iunitd the conduct of the regiment magnitii-eiit. * * 

And so, my dearest wife, I celebrated your birthday. (io<l spared mc 
to you and Hasie and I'a and Ma. A bullet hole through the sleevi- of my 
overcoat shows how near to harm I came. I rode a beautiful mule, the 
tinest I ever saw, my secesli mare having failed. At lirst I feared he would 
be unmanageable, but he soon became jierfectly used to the whistle of lialls- 
I send you the enclosed onler for a birtliclay inoeiit. 

Vom- 1». 




OPD \ TKE TIGERS, 





]\Iatthias C. Cali.ahax, a. 



OUR LOSSES. 



Coiu'ad Ling, of F, was killed about 5 i'. .m., shot tlirongh 
tlie liead. lie was a Mexican veteran, a luodfl soldier and 
Cliristian gentleman. His widow wrote pleading letters to 
Captain l*arks, asking that his remains he sent home, hnt it 
was impossil)le to compl_y with the request, 

Charles IF, Beckwith, of H, was wounded earl}- in the 
tight, taken hack to Dandridge, and died there the same day. 



/.(is.s/:s AT n.\.\ PKinci: 



Kirlianl r. I/iki'iis. of 1), tVll ;i> we w i ic nxciHliiii:" tlio 
hill :it (Iii>k. ( M'.l. Sciiit. Ilfiiiv N. r.nlirl.l, . .f I-'. stopptMl 
with him :i iiiDinciit. h>(>si'iH-<l his hcit iiml |il:ii'i'i| Iii> hhiiikrt 
uii(h'i" his hcjitl, th«'ii h:isti'ii(Ml on. L;itfr, when the ♦•lu-iiivs 
firi' ccjiscch ri'iilit'M nillrtl lor vohinlffi's, antl with loiii" 

• •I'liilTih'.- Weill h;i(k :illil hrolliiht Likcii-^ ii|). He tlicil 

within a few iniiiiitcs aiU'rwaids. Liiiii", IJock ami Likens 
air iiuw Pcstiiii:- ill the (■oiiu-triv at Iviioxvillc. 

Oiir list (tf hadiv woiiikKmI at 1 ):imlri»lire is M. ( ". Calla- 
h:iii, o| A: I'^ranklin .1. I''ol)os, of l'»: 
.lohii |). Maliaii aiitl Walter Chem-y, of ! 
('; I leiiry (f raham :iml »)rlamhi Shoult>. 
of l'\ ami .lohii Sinqoon, of ( J. 

Those cajit iiretl wi-re Anson I-], llay- 
ford, of (' ; .li'tfers(»n Mi-lirk jiml lU-nja- 
inin \'imiihii, of F ; Brookeiis II. r>rilt:iin 
ami .lames rii'r>on. of II : ()nl. Seri:t. 
.lames Hanson ami .lacoh IJrook-. ot I. 
All Were taken to .Vmlersonville rri>on. 
Hanson and Meli(d< siir\i\-ed the hard- mi m;\ ■.!; wi ^m i 
shii>s of liiat horrihie pen ami arc still lixiiii;-. The others 
died in the jtiisoii — Haylord, .liiiie 24. lMi4. urave J4l'4 : 
\'anii"hii, Aiii:iist 1, yrave 44.>0 ; I>rittaiii. August 4, irrave 
4«iS4 ; riers(»n, Auuiist -H, i,M-a\e 7-"5s4, and l)ro<d<s .hiiie 1 I. 
ijnive VX-Vi. 

When the tiii'lit hei;an Colonel Moore sent ('oin|ian\ H 
torward to a low rail fem-e midway to tlu' ridire at the foot 
o| which was ( 'ajitain I'arks" res»'r\'e. Seeing' the movement . 
(.'oiiiliany I*' retreated, jiait of the men iroinir to our left with 
('()n\|i:iny Kami part to our riirlit, thus I'liahliiitr ("<»iiipany II 
to lire upon the enemy. Tin' men of F eomiiii:" down tin- 
road stopped at a lesideliei' and took poss(.'s.-.ioii of a shed, 
from whieh tiiey iFul eti'ective sho(»tinir. If was there that 
Graham ami Shoultis wore wounded and N'auiiflm and Milick 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



were captured. James Willemin and Joseph Keys made 
tlieir way back fr(»iu tlie shed about dusk. When PI retreated 
to the niaiii line Brittain and Pierson were behind a stump 
at the rio-ht, and under such severe tire they dared not rise 
up. Hanson and Brooks, of I, lingered too long when the 
company began the retreat and were cauglit. Ilayford was 

picked up in one of the charges 
made by A and C on our right. 
Mahan and Cheney were wounded 
in the same charge. Cheney was 
one of our youngest boys, born No- 
vember 20, 1848 — fifteen years old 
when wounded. He J'emained with 
the regiment and served to the end. 
M. C. Callahan was wounded in 
one of the charges made by A and 
C, and was left lying on the field 
supposed to be dead, and so borne 
on the rolls for two months. The 
enemy found him and their surgeons pronounced his wound 
mortal. They left him at the residence of Judge J. P. Swan, 
a prominent Union man near Dandridge. On March 19 lie 
escaped, and passed through the enemy's line under the 
o-uidance of a slave sent bv Mrs. Swan, and reached jSTew- 
market on the same day, where he was found on the street 
in a helpless condition and cared for by our troops. 

Some of the "boys" will be disappointed if we fail to 
record some incidents of that afternoon at Dandridge that 
are often recalled in our reunion talks. Shortly before the 
attack on the picket began, some of tlie boys on the outposts 
discovered and shot a hog. When the fight began the hog 
was hanging from a limb of a tree, and the rapid advance of 
the enemy gave the boys no time to cut up and distribute 
the prize. Before the pickets reached the reserve in their 
retreat, they saw a party of Longstreet's troo[iers lialt, cut 




Seiigt. Ja.mi;s Li 



wixri.R (^)rARTi:Rs. 



down ami a|iiirii|>i'iatt' tin- |H)ik. That was tin- tii'st <-()iitri- 
luitliiii <>r the li'.")tli <>liit> to tlic sujUKirt i»t' tlu- CuiilciliTai y. 
When C't)iii|iaiiy II liiH-d iqi to tliv tV-iieo and l»ou"aii tiriiiir, 
Corp. Noali U. WilK'V. who was a lartjr man, <lid|i]icd to his 
knees, lir('(l and hruan to h>ad. Ihs hcail \va> on a \\\w with 
thr top rail, ami a lniHct passinii' throuii'h the rail sti'iirk him 
tjiirly ill the cfiiifr of ihr I'oirhcad, Imt tortnnatfly with not 
t'liouii'li toi'cc to liri'ak thf hono. llf was somewhat daz('(l 
tor a minute, tiieii fcali/.inii' the narrowness ot" his eseai^', he 
turned, w ith an expression of horror on his taee, and said : 
" J/ieuleiiant, let ns retreat." In spite of thr snrroiimlinizs 
Ins request was answered Ity peals 
ot" lanii'liter from liis eomrades, and 
instantly Willev was himselt" au'ain. 
joinini;' in the merriment. 

L()l'l>(»N. 

( Ml .laiiuary 21 the Il'-MIi ( )hio 
mareheil tVom St i-awiierry I'lains 
with the eommand to l\iio\ville. 
and theiiee to Loiidi'ii, arrivini:' at 
the latter placi' on the L'4tli. 

The Kourtli ('<n'[is was distrii)!!- 
te(l as tbilows: liai'kers' and Waa'm'r"> liiii:a<les at London, 
Shermans hri^ade at Kiiiii-ston, IIa/.en"s l>rii;'a<le at Lenoir's 
Station, Willieh's and lleatty's l»i'ii«:ades at Maryville. 

At London lou" eahins wei'i' eri'eted, supplies <ame for- 
ward in a short time, ami the tro<ips lived in eomi>arati\e 
comtort. Mess chests, valises and camii i-cpiipair*' wi-re for- 
wardiMl troin Chattanooira, arriving: Fehruary 10. 

Amonii" the eomaleseents who came up with the haiinaire 
was Xewconier, of 1''. who rode into lamp on a pony, for 
whieh he had traded his wateh. Foraijce heini^ searce. Colo- 
nel Moore told him he eould have a pass and must go out 




l.li I T. I II m:i 1 ~ IriMii M II 1 1^1.1). 



214 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



and dispose of his charger. On the next (hiy he sohl the 
animal to Barbara Green, receiving in part pa}' a su})ply of 
vegetables and taking her promissory note for the balance. 
He has the note yet. 

On February 18 our brigade marclied to Sweet Water, 
and returned on the 22nd. 

On the 20th Longstreet had a force of infantry across 
the Holston at Strawberry Plains. On the 23rd he had with- 
drawn and was reported to be retir- 
ing towards Virginia. The iSTinth 
Corps, Second Division, Twenty- 
third Corps, and Third Division, 
Fourth Corps, were ordered to march 
in pursuit. Under that order Wood's 
division moved to Kew Market. 

One of the incidents of the 
closing days of February was an 
inspection by Lieut. Col. C. B. Corn- 
stock, Assistant Inspector General, 
from wliose report we quote to show 
that the 125th maintained its effi- 
ciency in spite of discouraging surroundings: 

Headquarteks 1 

mujtary divison op the mississippi, 

Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 27, iSG4. j 
Lieut. Col. T. S. Boweus, 

Assistant Adjutant General : 
Sir: I have the honor to report genei-ally the results of a recent 
inspection of that part of the Army of the Ohio in tlic vicinity of Knox- 
viUe, Tenn. 

Second Division, Fonrtli Army Corps, Major General Sheridan com- 
manding: This (Uvision is stationed in the vicinity of London. Of its 
three Ijrigades, two are in very good condition as regards arms, hearing and 
drill, Colonel Marker's brigade deserving especial notice ; and of the regi- 
ments in the brigade, the 125th Ohio deserved notice for its drill and clean- 
ness of arms. Clothing is not good in the division, some regiments being 

l)ailly deficient. ■■■ * •■■ 

C. B. CoilSTOCK, 

Lieutenant Colonel einel Assistant Inspector General. 




-I KuKliN .liillN !•:. l)Ai;l'.V. 



LMrORTAX r CH.lMiES. 



2' 5 



111 tlir I'litii-f i'f|i<ii't. iihliidiiiL;" llif Niiitli. Tufiit \ -t liinl 
:iiiil l'"">iiiili ( "<ir|i.-, I 111' li'.nli ( Mi'iM i> t lie <)iil\ rfLfiiiK'Hl «-|m- 
cKilly iiiciitioiu'd Ity \v:i\ of (•oiniin'iKlalioii. .\< we li;i\c 
ili>c(i\crr(l this otlicial r(iiiiiiifii(liiti<iii tor tlic lirst time. iiiDir 
than a (|iiarlrr (•!' a ••ciitiny al'tfi- it \\a> writtni. in the 
juiiitfil iX'fMi'ds (if thf I'chcHiiin (Serial Xn. .V.i, ji. 4s4), our 
coiiirach's of other ri'uiiiicnts will not liml I'aiilt with us, wo 
think, lor irivinii: it still irrt'att'r puhlicity. 

()ur hriu'ade rcniaincd in winiii- <juartcr- at Loudon 
until tin.' isth of A|u-il. {.'olon«'l 
( )lidyfl<r and a nunilu'r of ofHf('i> 
and nifii niadr l)rii'f visits to<)liio. 
("haplaiii dohn W. Lewis joined the 
reLiinient. Mon returned from hos- 
jiitals and recruits came from Ohio, 
so that Ity spriui;- we had o\er ti\e 
hundie<l present for duty. 

Im|itu'tant ehaiitrc's wt're made 
in the orii:anization of the army. < tn 
March \'l. (irant, liaxinn' heen made 
]/ieutenant (leneral, was assii^fiied to 
command tin' armies (d the I nited 

States, '•/'(•( .Major (Jeueial llalleek. Sherman suceei'ded fo 
tin.' eommatid ot the Military l>i\i-ioii otthe M issis>i jijii and 
MclMiel->o|i to the .\riiiy o| iIm' Telllio'^ee. ()ur division 
commander. Sheridan. wa> sent east to eonmiaiid the eaxalrv 
cor|ts ol t he .\iiiiy ol' I he I'otomae. and instead of" j.i-omotiiiii' 
one ot' our own hriiru'licrs, I'l-iii". (ien. .Ldin Xewtoii came 
from the Army of the Potomac to take Sheri(hin's jdaee in 
the Fourth ('orps. The MleXi-nth and Twelfth Corps were 
consolidati'd and called the Tweiitietli Corps, and Genei'al 
Hooker assigned to its i-oiumaiid. The <ame order relieved 
General (Trauirer and assigned (ii-n. <>.(). 1 loward to the com- 
mand of the Fourth Ciu'ps. Geiioi'al ( irangiu- went to the 
J)ei>artnicnt ol" the (iull. (leneral Sloeiim, of the Twelfth 




2l6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Corps, went to A^icksburg. Gen. Jolm M. Scliotield suc- 
ceeded General Foster in command of the Army and Depart- 
ment of the Ohio. 

Lono'street left East Tennessee the last of March to 
join General Lee in Virginia ; the Twenty-third and Fourth 
Corps prepared to move down and join the forces at 

Chattanooga for the advance 

to Atlanta. On April 11 
General Howard reviewed 
our division at Loudon. 
A])ril 18 we marched to 
Sweetwater, on the 19th to 
Athens, on the 20th to 
Charleston, on the 21st to 
Cleveland. The uext two 
weeks were employed in 
preparing for the spring- 
campaign. 

From January 1 to 
April 30, 18G4, the 125th 
lost from the rolls, in addi- 
tion to losses in the battle 
of Dandridge, the following 
comrades : 

By death— Peter S. 
Bradtield, of E; Amos Tuttle, of F; Calvin Todd, of D; 
John Weller, of II ; Peter S. Blair, Daniel W. Hair, John 
Butler and George Wharton, of I ; Ernest Lutz and Alex. 
W. Cleveland, of K. Bradtield died of wounds received at 
Mission Ridge or Chickamauga. 

By resignation for physical disability — Capt. William C. 
Bunts, Lieut. Horace Welch, Lieut. Samuel Ileiks and Ca})t. 
M. V. B. King. Captain Bunts had l)een serving for some 
months on the statf of the department comnumder. King 




]>IF.rT. (il.N. .loiix M. 



IKll-IKI.Il I IMtj). 



L0SS/-:S J\/) /'A'0.]/0'/VOX.S. 



was at lioinc sutlV-i'iiiiT iVoiii liis woiind-. ;iii(l was (•(innnir^- 
sioiK'd i-iplaiii I'Ut imt iiiiistcrc(l a- >iicli. 

1 'i-iliaiu"t'»l "II siiri:;c'()ii's ci-rtilifate of (lisal)ility — Lt'\i 
F. Millur an. I K.lwiii A. Gilhcrt. of D : Davi.l M. K.-it an.l 
Saniiicl Maxwrll, of I'! : .los('j)li Wit hers. <>f (i ; Lewis Srlid- 
(loii. of II. ami Fi'iMlcritk Tool, of 1. 

iJy expiration of term t<\' enli-tmeiit — (ier.-leiii Ilinad- 
l)elt. of F. 

Traust'i'iTod to N'eteran lusei-ve 

Corjis l(diu II. Stamp ami l''ianc-is 

Tool, i»l"A: Kpliraim I']. I 'ee|<. of 13 : 
Sei'irt. S. X. doiies. of (": dacoli 
W'inans (d' !>: dosepli ( '. Kanilolpli 
and Tlionias Kldcr, ol' K; d(din NF- 
MiTi'llI, of F; Danii'l IJrowii, of II : 
Maiiliii- (lartnor and George II. 
iStull. of J. 

Transferred to L'nited States 
Na\ y — Andrew .1. Wri^iflit of I), and 
William DeGratf, of II. 

No mention lias l»een iiuide of proniotions f»f our eom- 
nnssioni'(l otHi-ers. Ivieli vacancy was tilled as it oct-urred i)y 
jironiotion of the otHct'i- next in raid>c. Fp to tlu' ojienini:; 
of t lie .V t laiita canipaii:!! t lie proniot ion< were : Major Moore 
to Lieutenant Colonel, Captain iJiMitf to Major. First Lieu- 
tenants Stewart, Mosi's, Wliitesidi's ami Carter to Captains. 
Seeonil I/ieiitenants Lowers, ('lark. I>icksoii and I"]\ans to 
Fii-st Lieutenants. The followini^ Si'rifeants had heen com- 
missioned Seeond Lieutenants: Xyrnm I'hillijts. Halsa I> 
Rice, Freeman Thoman, Henry X. Steadman. I)avid l\ 
BIystoiie, Richard Iv. Ilulse, AIsoii C. Billey, Charles Leim 
back, Freeman Collins, Ilenrv A. Donaldson. Ileni-y X 
Peiitield, C. C. Chapman and Holin D. IJarnes. !Miillii..s 
anil Lice hail au'ain heen pioniotetl to First Lieutenanl>. 




1.11.1 I. n. A. I'uNAl.DMiN i,lyA>l. 



ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. 



T'NITE]) STATES FORCES, 

CU:HMA^■l)Ei) BY MAJ. (iEN. WILLIAM T, SlIERMAX. 

May 7, 1S()4. 

Ar))ii/ of Uic Cnmherland — ^NIaj. Gen. George H. Thomas. 

Fourth Army Corps, Maj. Gon. O. 0. Howard. Divisions — First, Maj. 
Gen. D. S. Stanley; Seeond, Brig. Gen. John Newton; Tliird, Brig. Gen. 
T. J. Wood. 

Fourteentli Army Cor])s, Maj. (ien. John M. Pahner. Divisions- 
First, Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson ; Second, Brig. (\e\\. J. C. Davis ; Third, 
Brig. Gen. A. Baird. 

Twentieth xirniy Corps, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker. Divisions — First, 
Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams; Second, Brig. Gen. J. W. Geary; Third, Maj. 
Gen. 1). Butterfield. 

Cavalry Corps, Brig. Gen. Washington L. Elliott. Divisions — First, 
Brig. Gen. E. N. McCook ; Second, Brig. Gen. K. (nirrard; Thu'd, Brig. 
Gen. J. Kilpatrick. 

Aniiij nj' thi Tenneniiei' — Ma.i. (tKX. James B. McPherson. 

Eifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan. T^ivisions — First, 
Brig. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus ; Second, Brig. Gen. ]\I. L. Smith : Fourth, Brig. 
Gen. William Harrow. 

Sixteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. (irenvilh' ^I. Dodge. Divisions — 
Second, Brig. Gen. T. W. Sweeney; Fourth, Brig. Gen. J. C. Veatch. 

Maj. (Ten. Frank P. Blair, with M. D. Leggett's and W. Q. Gresham's 
divisions of the Seventeenth Army Corps, joineil June s. 

Aniii/ (if the Ohio — Ma.i. Gex. John M. SrHorii:LD. 

Twenty-third Army Corps, Maj. Gen. Jolin M. Schotield. Divisions — 
First, Brig. Gen. A. P. Hovey ; Second, Brig. Gen. H. M. Judah ; Third, 
Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox. 

Cavalry, Maj. Gen. Cieorgi' Stoueman's division. 

Grand aggregate present May 7 — Troops, !)S,7ii7 ; guns, i.'")4. 



A'ri.W'IW ( AMI'AhiX. 

(•(iM-i;i»i;i{ATi-: i <»i.mi;s. 
«"M\i\M'i:i' l:^ CKX, .MtsKi'ii i:. .ioiinsthn. 

Ilanlif's Army C'drjis, Lit-iit. «u'ii. Williiini .f. Ihinlci'. Ihvisioii Coiu- 
niaiKlcrs — Maj.lu'ii. U. V. C'licatliain, Maj. (u'li. I'. I{. rifliiiriic, Maj. (ini. 
W II. T. Walk.-iaii.l .Maj. <u"ii. William II. i'.atc. 

IIiMid's .\rmy Corps, Liciit. (itii. .luim I*.. Ilfiod. I>ivisi<iii (um- 
mamlcrs — Maj. (ii'ii.T. (". Iliixlmaii, Maj. <i(ii. ('. I>. Stt'vcn.«un and .Maj. 
( Ji'ii. .\. I', ."^tcwart. 

i'<>lk'> .\rmy ( 'orps. Lii-ut. (W-n. Li-oniilas Tulk. I'ivisi.m ('ummaml- 
ei!5 Maj. (ten. William W. Lorimr. Maj. <u'ii. Samuel <;. I"rcii<li and I'.ri^'. 
(icn. .Taim'.>i Caiilcy. 

Cavalry C'nr|>.<, Maj. ( icii. .Ius('|>li Wlu-fU-r. I>ivisiuii Commanders — 
Maj. <ien. W. T. Martin. I'.ri-^'. Ceii..!. II. Kelly, I'.rijr. (Jen. W. Y. C. Ilume.'i 
and I'.Hl'. (ien. W. II. Jackson. 



Ceiieral Cox, ill an ai>|ieiidix to Ins excellent account oi' the Atlanta 
Camiiaijrn. foots up Jolmston's force jiresent for duty, at Ihilton :).;.( MM), at 
Uesaca 71,(KM»; total liefoiv cro.ssin;.' the Chattahoochee, S(1,(M»(». I>eductin>: 
loHSCS, it is jirohahli' Johnston never hail more than three men to four iiv. 
ShermaTi's ranks. 



ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. 




rie~~^,nn 111 I Tr- 
.1 r r A. M * ' 
Ch ckbmauga Sfa ' g 



eM^N // N. 
7^?'y'^^"" ~ ■?" Y€ ~j — 7-i;7^"-r ^' ■' 



W A 




otorc f ■^^ \ 

C H ATt T O O//0 A, ; Gi^'lff^i 



ClIATTANOOCiA TO RESACA. 



ciiAi'Ti:!; x 



All ANIW CAMI'AICX. 



Till' li'.'dli Oliio foiistitutcd uiic t\V((-lniii(lr(_'(lt li pait ol 
iSlniiiiaus army, liaxitiy' ciitci'ccl ii|i(iii tlic caiiiiiaiii'ii willi 
517 ofiicors and iiu'ii, '2-')') <>f wliom were killed <>v scrKuislv 
woinidtMl ln'toiT Ailaiila fill. Tlic rf^inu'iit sci'vcd to iIil' 
Olid ol' that caniiiai!;!! in tin- Tliird r>rii;atU', Si-cond |)i\isi(»ii, 
Fourth (\)r| s. Tlu' hriii-aih' was <Miiiiiiaii(U>d hv IJrii;. ( icii. 
('liarU's (i. Ilaikrr iiiilil he was killed in the assault at 
Iveiit'suw Moiiniaiii. when I^rii:'. (Jen. Luther I'. r.iadle\ 
succi'C'fh'd to the e(»iiiiiiaiitl. IMie 
hriii'ade eoiisiste<l of tlie 22iid, 27tli. 
42iid, olst and Tilth Illinois, 8nl 
Kc'iituekw <;4th, (i.')tli and 12.')ili 
Ohio 111 taut ry : Batt.iy M, l>t Illi- 
nois, and r)atteiy A, 1st <)hio Lig-lit 
Artillery. The tenn id" scrxiee ol' 
tin.' liiind Illinois expired June 10. 
and of the 27th [lliiiois, Aiii;-iist 2'), 
aiul the>e two ri'uinu'iits were mus- 
tered out at the dates stated. The 
hattoriis were iiu-rued into an ar- 
tillery hriii'ade duly 2<!. Colonel 
(»|Mlyeke commanded the 12.')th until he was wounded at 
lii'saea, May 14, from whieh date Lieut. Col. havid II. 
Mo(M'o was ill eommand. Colonel ()|idy(ke did n(»t leave 
tlu' eouiiiiand wlii'ii woundi'(l. ami in a few days was assiijncd 
to the eommand of a deiui-hriii"a<le, in wliieli ("([(aeity he was 
still cur eoinmander until Aut^nst •>, when he was assiii-iied 
to peruianeiit eoniiuand ot" the Fir>t Uiiuaile in the same 
division, to which our ri'irinieiit wa> transferred at the eiose- 
of the eamiiaiun. 




(iKS. Wlll.lAM "I" SlIKItMAN. 



OlDYCKE TIGERS, 



THE LINE OF ADVANCE. 



Tlie railway from Chattanooga to Atlanta pa^^ses throuo-li 
Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Kingston, 
Allatoona, Ackworth, Big Shanty, Marietta and other towns 
made famous by tlie conflict of arms. The most important 
streams crossed by the line are the Oostanaula, tlie Etowah 
and the Chattahoochee. These rivers and their tributaries 

and the mountains, -ridges and hills 
of Northern Georgia were Johnston's 
faithful allies, offsetting to a great 
extent Sherman's superior numerical 
strength. 

Sherman's line of advance was 
necessarily along the line of railway 
by which liis supplies were received. 
Johnston was also under the necessity 
of holding the railway' line to his 
rear. His policy was to relinquish 
a position only when it could be held 
no longer without losing his railway, 
and then to fall back a short distance to another line selected 
and fortified in advance. 

Sherman followed his ojjponent step by step, his troops 
fighting their way into close contact with the enemy's 
intrenchments, where they covered themselves with like 
defenses, and then extended to right or left to overlap and 
flank the enemy's position. When that failed, thin lines 
were left in the intrenchments and a strong column swung 
off", and by a detour threatened Johnston's line of communi- 
cation, compelling him to fight or fall back. He usually did 
both, trying on interior lines to strike the fiaidciug force with 
superior numbers and gain substantial advantage before it 
■could be reinforced, and then retreating to his next intrenched 




Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, C. S. A. 



CAMIWICX O/'EXS. 22 7, 

liiif. Tin' Mjicrat l()ii> oii liutli sides wn-c ]ii'(iscciitiMl with 
rrl(.'iitU'>s ciK'i'ii-v. Kvcrv iiii>\ciin'iit iiiNoUcil liii'lii inii-. 



l».\i;i'nN. 

At till' l>i-i;iiiniiiw- of ill,, caiiiicii;^-!! the ( 'niirtMlci'nte 
A iiiiy was ciicaiiiiH'il at haltoii. ll. pckv l''acc Uiduc cxtnid- 
iiiii; tVoiii a \\-\\ milfs nm-tli <it haliun mhh liw,v~t ward, |>a>siiiir 
the tiiwii at a distaiici' ol' alMiiil tlirco iiiilr>. i> the natural 
<lt't(.'iisi\ (' liiu'. 'rill' railioad |iasst's tliroiin-li the Kidnc at 
Mill ('reck (Jaji. < hi liotli sides of t lie < Jap dd'ciisivr works 
had \k'v\\ cc>iistriK-t(.'d oil tlic liidiie and (.•oinicctcMJ north of 
the (,ia|i with a liiU' of I'arthwoiks. cxtt'iidiiiii- eastward to 
the railroad Iroiii haltoii to Clev'elaiid aii<l thence southward 
east of the town. They Jilso held a parallel ridaH' called 
Tunnel 1 lill as an ad\aneed i>ost. Sheiniairs plan was toi- 
Tlionias ami Seholield to iiio\-e directly upon the eneinv's 
position, while M<dMiersoii should 
pass throiii;h i;aps and defiles sexeral 
miles to the riii^ht of the main hodv 
and eiideaxor to hreak the railwas' 
near lvesa<a. 

< )n May •'), Sclndield arrived at 
('lc\i'laiid and Howard advam-ed to 
Reil Clay, our di\i>ioii marcliiiiu- 
iwelvt' inih's : Talnu'r »-oiiceiitrat*'d 
at Kiiiifii'old, and Hooker came up on 
J 'aimer's rii,Hit. ( )ii the 4th, Ilowanl 
moved to Catoosa J5i»riiiii"s, thrci- 
miles east (d" liiniri^ndd, and Davis" < vn. stkinm. i-vkk.- .iv,.. . 
division of i'jilmer's eoi'its advanced to Stone Chiui-h, tliri'e 
miles south <d' Rinii'gold. ( )ii the ."ith. i)odi>-e"s eor|>s reached 
C'hattanooM-a hy rail, lollowed l»y Logan's corps on the »!th, 
iind both moved to T.ee and Goi'doiTs Mill. 




224 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



TrXNP:L HILL. 

On Saturday, May 7, the canipaigMi opened in earnest. 
It was thought tliat Tunnel Hill would be defended stub- 
bornly, and an overwhelming- force was directed against it. 
Tlie Fourteenth Corps moved on the direct road from Ring- 
gold, the Fourth Corps advanced to a cross road, where 
Stanley and Wood turned to the right and headed for the 
north end of Tunnel Hill, leaving xs^ewton to cover the 
tlank. Scholield arrived later from Eed Clay, when our 
division followed Wood, and was posted in reserve near the 
north end of Tunnel Hill. Hooker advanced to a point 
three miles to the right of Tunnel Hill. The enemy's cav- 
alry offered but slight resistance, the only lighting of 
consequence being at the center. Davis' division of the 
Fourteenth Corps was in advance, Avitli the 52nd Ohio, 
Maj. James T. Holmes, commanding, on the skirmish line. 
Holmes drove the enemy's cavalry steadily until he drew" lire 

from the enemy's guns on Tunnel 
Hill. Havis placed a few guns in 
[)osition to respond to the enemy's, 
and his leading brigade (Dan. Mc- 
Cook's) deployed. The lines then 
advanced again, Major Holmes mak- 
ing an attack below the town, for 
which he was complimented in 
Davis' report. By that time Stan- 
ley's division of the Fourth Corps 
had ascended the north end of the 
liidge, and were moving on, render- 
ing the enemy's position untenable, 
and they retreated towardsjMill Creek Gap. }^ 

The 52nd ()hi(j can claim the honor of being the first 
infantry regiment to meet the enemy in that campaign. The 
125th Ohio was a close second, having been selected to open 
the battle on the next day. 




Col. Jas. T. Hoi.mi >. 



ROCKY FACE RIDGE. 



At (layliirlit on Siiiuhiy, Miiy S, C'oIdir'I Ojulycke was 
called to Urigadt' lu'a<l(Hiartei"s, shown a iiia[t of tlie region, 
turnislicMl a guide and instiMietod to move with the 12.')th in 
advance ot the hri^iuh' to the north end ot" Kock\ I'':icc I(idge 
antl it" possihie to ettect a hxlgenient on the summit. The 
connnand nnin-hecl ahont two miles to the nortli end of the 
liiilge, whei'c the enemy's skii'mishers weit' encountered. 
Our skirmishei's at tirst nmved as if intruding to pass around 
tlie end of the Ividge, and when the enemy's attention was 
fixed uiion that move. Colonel Ojidyeke dii'ecti'd the regi- 
ment to ascend the west slope, moving under cover of trees 
and in a direction diagonal to that of the l\idge. Compa- 
nies K ami F led tlie column as skirmisluM's. Company D 
came next, also deployi'd as -kir- 
misliers. Comi»anies I. C and Iv 
formed a third line, and that was 
followed hy II, (i, A ami W in .-..1- 
umn. Colonel < >pdyckc and the 
guide Went forward with Comiiany 
F, which heing on the lett >vould 
tirst reach the sumnnt. The slope 
was stee[> and iccky. it is pi-oKaMc 
the enemy did not expect an attempt 
to ascend from the west. At all 
events the men (Ui the left of F 
reached the summit hefor^- a shot 
was tired upon them, and were (piickly followed l)y their com- 
rades. The enemy's skirmisliers at that point tied <h>wn the 
eastern slope. «>p(lycke at once ordercil mi ;id\ance south- 
ward, which the enemy resisted stuhhornly, hut thev were 
forced back from one position to another for a mile or more. 
Tlie enemy's ti'oops encountered were of Bricj. Gen. E. W. 
Pettus' brigade of Stevenson's division, IIo(»d's corps. The 
regiments in tliat brigade were the ioth, 2:jrd, :^Oth, 81st and 
40th Alabama. Opdycke hoped to ca[»ture the rebel siunal 




<'iM.. A I K\. M. ll 



226 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



station, located midway from tlie north end to Mill Creek 
Gap, and pushed things energetically. At one point where 
the summit was wide enough for a company front. Company 
C went to the front and fired a volley, and tlie regiment 
then charged, driving the enemy into breastworks that 
proved to be impregnable. But the fight was kept up all 
day, the men working forward, keeping under cover of rocks 
and trees, and firing at every enemy who showed a head or 
hand above the works. 

The losses were severe for such an altair — four killed 
and twenty-one wounded in the 125th. The killed were 
Cornelius Infildt, of A ; Eli Swineheart and Simeon Carlton, 
of C, and Marion T. Murphy, of F. Cap- 
tain Parks, of F, was shot through the 
left wrist, but did not leave the ranks un- 
til ordered to do so some time later. 
Murphy was near Parks and was struck 
a moment later, a ball shattering his left 
thigh. When first struck, he said : " Oh 
my poor wife and children ? " and then 
requested Sergeant Jewell to assist him 
to get away. Swineheart and Carlton 
were struck dow^n when Compau}' C went 
forward to fire the volley mentioned above. Carlton was 
not instantly killed, but was carried from the field and died 
the same evening. He had served in the 23rd Ohio and also 
in the 84th Ohio before joining us. Infildt was killed in the 
charge that drove the enemy into their works. 

The eastern slo])e of Rocky Face is less difficult than 
the western, and the enemy w^ould have come up in rear of 
the 125th without doubt had not all tlie regiments of Bar- 
kers brigade followed ours to the summit. At 6 p. m. the 
<Srd Ki'Utucky relieved the 125th on the skirmish line. 

From the summit of Rocky Face the enemy's works 
about Dalton and the town itselt were in plain view. A sig- 




-IMEl IN t AKl.TUN', C. 



/WCA'V JACl: RJJHiE. 



Hill station WHS fstaldislicil diiriiii:- tin- dav, uliidi (•oiiiiiiiini- 
catt'tl witli stations on Tiunu'l Hill liidiir and otlicr j>oiiit>. 

Ilarkor's liri^-adc was not the only ono onira'^cti on tliat 
date. 'I'lu'ir had \^vv\\ a urin-i-ai advance liy tla- Fonitli. 
Foui'tcontli anil Twcntirtli (dijis. TIk- enemy".-- skirniisliei's 
Were everywhere driven into tlnir works. At Mill ("reek 
Ga}> MitehelFs hriirado of l)a\is' division attacked and 
exju'lled the eiiemv iVoin a spin- or ritliic at the entrance to 
till' (iaji. The front line in the movement (TMh Illinois and 
ll^jth ( )hio) was under the direction of Col. Henry W. JSaii- 
niiii^T. formerly Lieutenant-Colonel of the 12.')th. lu-tween 
tlie (iaji and llarker's j)08iti()n at the north end of Kocky 
Face, Staidi'y and "\Voo(l ]iMshed the skirmishers of their 
divisions up the slope as lar a> they could climh. whei'e they 
remained, and under cover of rocks and tree- maintaiiieil a 
<'(»nstant skirmish. 

The most severe <'niijlict of the <lay 
oecurretl on Hookers friuit. (u-ary's di- 
vision was ortK-retl to advance and e>tah- 
lish itself stronixly at Huu" Gap. (ieary 
construed the ordi-r lo re»piire him to 
gain the summit of the Ridu-c at that 
point, and he made a determined effort to 
<h. so. The 2J>th Ohio and Jsth I'ennsyl- I, 
vania ot Can<ly's hriiiadi- uained a ]>osi- t 
tion on the roa<l ii|- at the foot of the 
palisades and iii'ld it untd th-irk. The lo4th and 154th New 
York, leading in Hushheck's lirigade, found a point where 
till' I'alisades could lie scaled, and part of those reifinients 
gained the summit, hut were nu't hy superior numhers and 
driven hai-k again. All the regiments of those tw<» hriga«hs 
eanie into action and kept the enemy at that point luisily 
employed all <hiy. There were several hand to hand eontli»ts. 
The enemy rolled stones (h)wn the slope to hri-ak advancinu" 
lines, and foun<l them ipiite as etfeetive as cannon halls. 




■ll^l M. liliil.. 1.. 



228 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Geary's losses footed np fifteen officers and 342 men. 

McPherson moved forward on the same date to Snake 
Creek Gap, the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry, supported by 
the 39th Iowa, going on to the outlet of the Gap at Sugar 
Creek Valley. 

ROCKY FACE RIDGE — SECOND DAY. 




Active demonstrations and continuous skirmishing on 
Thomas' front, to hold the enemy in position while McFher- 
son operated on his line of communica- 
tion, was the program for ^la}- 9. 

At 4 A. M. the skirmishing began and 
was kept up all day. "Wagner's brigade 
came forward just above the north end of 
the Ridge. The Twenty-third Corps 
moved forward still farther to the left, 
drove the enemy's skirmishers into their 
works east ot Rocky Face, and demon- 
strated against the works so strongly 
as to hold the forces of the enemy in 
position during the day. McCook's cavalry division still 
fartlier to the east, at Varnel's Station and vicinity, met a 
superior force of the enemy's cavalry, supported by two 
brigades of infantry, and was w^orsted, hut managed to hold 
the gaps leading to Schofield's rear. McCook's losses for the 
day were nine officers and 130 men. Colonel LaGrange, 
one of the brigade commanders, was severely wounded and 
captured. 

Late in the afternoon Newton was ordered to attack 
the works on the eastern slope of Rocky Face with Wagner's 
brigade, and if Wagner's gained some advantage to follow it 
up by an assault against the works on top of the Ridge on 
llarker's front. Our brigade foriiu'd for the assault with the 



KOCk'Y JACI'. RJDGi:. 



229 



T'.'tli Illinois lis skirinislici's, tlu' tJ4tli < >lii() Ifinliiii:- I In- stoi'in- 
iiig: coliiniii. IoHowimI I»v the :')itl Ivriitiu-kv iiml \\\v hiitci- l>v 

o ... 

the 125tli ()lii<», tlic otlioi' i'oi:;iim'iits ot' tlu- l»ii<i":i(l(_' supiKd-t- 
iiiij. AViiiifiu'i" caiiu' ujitui an iinjiassaltlo raxiiK" wIumt liis 
liiic was uikK'I' a lica\_v tire, lit-ariiiu- wliirli 1 l:ii-i<fr"s (•(iluinii 
nislicd forward. 

The jiositioii assaulted was a stone tortitication ti\e or 
six feet hiuli, at a j>oint wliere tlu- simiinit of the Kidge 
widiMU'd out into a little plateau, hut it was neeessary to 
a{i[>roa(li hy tlie Hank, because at an intermediate {mint tlu' 
top of the Kidux' was very narrow and the sides ju'ceiiutous 
elitts. The tire from the enemys works was destructive. 
()iii- iiead of eolumn I'eached the W(U-ks l)ut eould not enter. 
I'nder the severe tire tlie lines were hrokcn in a n\oment. 
anil tlie men souudit shelter and retunieil 
the enemy's lii'e. the lu-ad ot i-aeh ri'^'i- 
nient in turn uetting very near to the 
works, howevei', l)efore breakiuic. Lieu- 
ti-nant C'<di>nel Mooiv, with about thirty 
men of the 125tli, u"ot behind rocks veiy 
close to the works, and with many otiieis 
were unable to ij-et away until attei" dai'k. 

In a vei-y few minutes all of the men 
liad sought shelter, part of i.».ich regiment 
close up to the works, tiie rest w herever 
cover couM be fouml. and tlu* assault was ]>raetieally mdrd. 
In tho>e biief monu-nts the r^tli ()hio lost gallant ('oloncl 
Mcllvjiin and nineteen men killeil and thi'ee otiicei's and 
forty-nine men wounded. In the T'.Uh Illinois Col. Allen 
Buekner and nine men were wounded and one man killed. 
The ord Kentucky casualties were alxuit the >ame, Lieut. 
Col. William A. liulK-tt being among the woiiiidetl. In the 
125th Ohio, three men were killed, tour mortally wounded, 
and nineteen severelv wounded. After dark the men with- 




W 1 1 I I \ ^I A . 1 1 V N V r. 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




drew and the regiments went to their former positions, when 
Wagner's brigade came nj* and relieved Harker's. 

A complete list of casualties in the 125th at Rocky Face 
Ridge cannot be made. Those killed ou the 9th were Fran- 
cis M. Gorlock, of I, and George McCollum and William 
Sleinel, of K. Those mortally wounded were William A. 
Dana, of B; Jesse Sample, of C; Thomas Cassady and An- 
thony Porter, of I, all of whom died within a few days, 
Dana was hit about 10 a. m. He was on the skirmish line at 
the time, Warren H. Fishel and William Wasson being near 

him. Cassady was hit before the 
charge also. He was with William 
Dunker behind a ledge of rock, be- 
came thirsty and started to find 
water, but the vigilant enemy saw 
him move and aimed too well. 

In the list of wounded known 
to the writer, were Corp. Luther S. 
Calvin and George Arbuckle, of A ; 
C. Orasmus Fitch, of B ; Sergt. John 
A. Canon, Sergt. Clinton H. Phelps, 
William McKinley, Leonard IL Cur- 
tis and Jeremiah Swineheart, of C ; 
.John M. Tippie, of E; Altivd ^hixon, of F; William 
Caughey, Samuel Green and David Phillips, of I. Captain 
Valiendar was wounded and went to Chattanooga, where he 
was soon after placed on detached duty. Lieutenant Colonel 
Moore was one of many slightly wounded who did not go off 
duty. The following old letter shows how lie went through 
the charge : 

Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., \ 
Tuesday, INIay Id, 18(i4. 2:40 i>. m. ( 
Dear Julia : 

Two more severe days, and this mueh t)f the third gone, and I am 
nearly all rijiht. In the charge last night I was hit four times, once by a 
])all whieh passed througli a corporal's head, struck me in the back of the 
hip and lodged in the lining of my blouse; that only siung. Another 




/ 



LuTiiEK S. Calvin, A (1805). 



ROCKY FACE RJJHiE. 



231 



strippcl my ri'_'lit coat sli-i-vi' hchiw tin- i-lln.w, a traL'iiii'iit nf aimtlicr liit 
iiif in ttu' left hica.st ; still atiutlu-r stnuk luy ri;.'Iit Inwi-r liuwels. Tln-si- 
two last hurt, l>ut an- uiily .<//(//(/ ; they du not lay im- up. Tipiiic is shut in 
tin- han<l. McColluni is fitluT mortally \V(>un<lfi| or <lca<l. ()nr lo-s in 
tilt' l"_'">th so far in killed am! woumK'il is forty-1'i^.'lit. 

I wrote yesterday un-U-r lire, l.ove to Pa, Ma, ami the chiMren. 

Kvcr voiir 

••!>."• 

Tlie Co!'|ioi-al rotrn\Ml t(» \v;is I,. .S. C':ilviii. An oiiikh- 
l»all oiiteri'd liis lietul at tlu' left tniiplo, [)a.ssi!i*( douiiwanl 
shattt'i'eil h'lHi right lower Jaw, and jiassiiig out struck tlie 
Colonel, as stated in tiie letter. Calvin was left on the field, 
>ui>iiosed ti) he deail. Ne.xt day Lieutenant lilystoni'. in 
ehaiu'e of the And)ulanee Cor[is, found Calvin sitting- up 
against a roek and sent liitu to the hos[>ital. Ili- still lives. 

An eU'ort was made to secure the luimes ot' the men 
who got nearest to the works, and the list was rt-ad to the 
regiments next day. With Colonel 
Moore's s<juad was <>ne man of the Goth 
(Hiio, A. C. Matthias. Company K, wli > 
was certainly good on a charge, his regi- 
ment being in the rear of ours. Sergt. 
Jiieoh Jewell, of F, had chaige of a sijuad 
specially mentioned. 

A FLANK MdVKMKNT. 




•AMI Kl. tiCKK.N. 1. 



Mcl'hersun had found Snake Crcrk 
(iap unguarded, (hi the night of May S 
.Johnston sent Ferguson's brigade of cavalry to occupy the 
(iap, hut after marching all night Ferguson arrived at day- 
light on tlie !Hii to find himself too late. lie attacked the 
I'th Illinois, hut so(Ui discovered the presence of infantry, 
and was compelled to fall hack to liesaca, followed hy Dodge's 
corjts, the GtJth Illinois on the skirmish line doing its work 
so well that the head of column marched the entire distance, 
eight miles, without detention. 



232 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Dodge, under the personal direction of McPherson, 
advanced to within a mile of Resaca, fully developing tlie 
enemy's line of works, and sent a small detachment of cav- 
alry — all he had — northeast, to scout the country and try to 
reach the railway. The cavalry detachment reached the 
railway near Tilton, but only succeeded in breaking the tele- 
graph line. General Logan advanced to the Rome and 
Dalton cross roads, about two miles from Resaca. At dark 
McPherson reported to Sherman that he found Resaca forti- 
fied and held in force, no practicable roads leading to the 

railroad above Resaca, several roads 
leading from Dalton down Sugar 
Valley, exposing him to flank at- 
tack, and that, after skirmishing all 
day, he had withdrawn to a position 
covering the Gap. 

Sherman at once decided to re- 
in force McPherson heavily, and 
later concluded to leave the Fourth 
Corps with Stoneman's cavalry on 
our left and McCook's on the right, 
to hold the lines in front of Dalton 
DAVID s. PHILLIPS, I (i,s'.)5,. ^^^^^.^g -j^g moy^^ with the rest of the 

iiriiiy through Snake Creek Gap upon Resaca. 

On the 10th, 11th and 12th the changes of position 
required were ett'ected, picket firing being almost continuous 
but no serious encounters occurring. 

On the 11th the 125th was on picket until 6 p. m., wlien 
relieved by the 51st Illinois. An incident of the day was an 
ettbrt of the enemy to shell our line, their guns being 
silenced very soon by our own, which Captain Ayleshire had 
managed to bring to the summit of Rocky Face. It rained 
at night and turned cold. 

On the 12th, Barker's brigade moved ofi' the Ridge east- 
ward to take i>osition in the line vacated by the Twenty- 




.-/.\' IXCIDEXT. 



^1*1^ 






tliirtl ('orps, ami llic liiotli unit <>ii [licket. Iliavy tiiiiiLT 
tiirtlitT t(» till' li't't iiiditatotl tliat tin- cax ali\ iiu-ii wcir at it 
airiiiii. All iiiridt'iit <>t" tlu- day \V(»rtli iccni'diiiij \\a> tin- 
i-aptiiir dt" two ('(Mit'odi-rati's l>y I/Riit. \{. ( '. j'dwcrs, and 
Corp. Sliaroii Fn'iicli and ZaliiKHi I"'. Morris, ot' ('. 

Opdyrko was lu-vt-r liappy in a nuw [>ositioii until In* 
learned soinothini:: ot" tlio enemy s liiu' in front ot liim. lie 
aecordingly detailed Powers, Fremli and Mollis t" makr a 
careful reconnoissanre. ras>iiiu- our picket line the detadi- 
inont came to an open ti«'l<l, that extemK-d a «puii'ter ot a mile 
or more down the valley. At the riuht hand side ot this 
Held stootl a small iVanie eahin iicai' the IhmisIi at the hasc «.t' 
Kocky Faee Kidue. Lieutenant I'owei^ conclndrd that this 
woidd he an advantageous jdaee lor 
a lookout, so he stationed Freiuh 
and Morris in a huiieh ot" hrush on 
the upi)er side (.f the o[ien tield, 
while he skirted around to the rii^ht 
throUirh the lirush until op[>o>iti' 
and close to the eahin, which hy a 
(|uiek tni-n to the left he enti-red. 
He was then ahle to locate a rehel 
picket just m-ar the lowi-r horder ol" 
the tield. and he soon saw two s(d- 
<liers, unarmetj. pass throuirh the 
rebel picket line unohserved hy the 
guard and walk leisurely ui> the valley, seemingly alisorhed 
in conversation. They passed the eahin within easy musket 
range. French ami Morris slipped from the hiislu> with 
leveled muski'ts and oidered thi-m to A"//, which they did 
promptly, and were then (udered tti advanei- and suiieiidei. 
The prisoners proved to Ik- (^>uartermaster Sergt. Wat kins 
an<l a l-'ii-st Lieutenant of a (ieorgia ri'giment. The Lieu- 
tenant hegged to lie allowed to write a note ami drop wlu-re 
some of his comrades might timl it. in oi-der to remove their 




Sua HON FitKNtii. C. 



234 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



suspense about his sudden disappearance, but Powers thought 
the place not quite safe for literary achievements of that 
character, and marched both captives to the rear. 

During the night of the 12th the enemy evacuated the 
lines about Dalton and fell back to Resaca. 



RESAOA. 

The Connasauga River flowing south and the Coosa- 
wattee River coming in from the east, at a distance of a mile 

or two east from Resaca unite to form 
the Oostanaula. The Oostanaula 
tiows west past Resaca and thence 
in a southwest course to Rome^ 
where it unites with the Etowah, 
flowing from the southeast, to form 
the Coosa River. Resaca is on the 
north l)ank of the Oostanaula. Camp 
Creek, flowing from the northwest, 
two miles north of Resaca turns to 
the south, passing one mile west of 
the town and em})ties into the Oos- 
tanaula. Swamp Creek, flowing 
from the northeast, unites with Camp Creek where the latter 
bends south. Johnston's lino of fortifications, commencing 
at the Oostanaula, extended northward along the hills and 
high ground on the east side of Camp Creek to the inter- 
section with Swamp Creek, where they turned to the east 
along a line of hills and ridges extending to the Connasauga. 
If Sherman could drive j^the Confederates into their 
works ;,ii(l cover his own troops with a parallel line, he 
would Ije able to detach a force across the Oostanaula, when 
Johnston would be in danger ot complete investment, or the 
loss ot his railwav, which would V)e almost as fatal. 




ZaLMON F. ildKKIS, C US'Jj). 



ADVANCE TO RF.SACA. 



235 



On the iiioniiiiLi' ot" May \'-\ M<| 'Imtshu atlvainM-d 
directly towainls Kesaca, Loiran".-: corps astride of and lu-in- 
ci[ially to tlie left of tlie direct road, Dodi^e's eorps on 
Louan's right. They drove tlie enemy's skirniisliers tVoni 
ailvanced [lositions, and hy night had estahlishet] their nwn 
skirmishers close U}) to C'anip Creek. Thomas, with rainier'.^ 
and Hooker's corps, moved out of Snake Creek (iap and 
niarchetl so as to come \\\i on MclMirrson'-^ left, and liy nii^ht 
Untti-rtield's dixision of the 
Twentieth Corjts iirolonged 
Logan's line noi'thward. 
having (ieary"> dixisimi im- 
mediately in rear and Will- 
iams' division to (learys 
left. .lohnston's di\ision of 
t he l^'oiirteenth ( 'orp> Joined 
<m iJnttertield'- le!t and 
l)aird's divisimi came next, 
with havis" division in su})- 
porting distance. Sehotield 
moved from Snake Creek 
(iaji <>n the lo'nie and 1 >al- 
toii lioad northward until he 
passed Thomas' lett, halting 
at night with his right in 
the vit-initv of Uaird's h-t't. 
Howard diseo\ered the ah- 

sence of the enemy t'rom the lines at Dalton ali'.nt daylight, 
and at once pursued. Stanley's division, nnirching thi'ongli 
Mill Creid-; (iap. had the advance. Newton's division coming 
next fidlowed hy Wood's. The l"J")th, nnirching with the 
division, enten-d Dalton at 11 \. m., halted one hour, then 
resumed the march, following Stanley whose progress was 
retardetl hy the enemy's stnmg r<ar guard, so that at 7:->" i'. M. 
the column was onlv ei^rht miles t'nun l^alton. ."^toiieman's 




^36 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



■division of cavalry moved on tlie direct road from Dalton to 
Eesaca, McCook's division of cavalry on a road near the foot 
■of the mountain, and the Fourth Corps by an intermediate 
route, probably the Rome and Dalton road. At night How- 
ard's right was within a mile or two of Scholield. The entire 
-army was, therefore, on aline extending from the Oostanaula 
near the mouth of Camp Creek northward for about three 
miles and thence northeast several miles. 

Orders issued during the night for movements on the 
14th required McPherson to press the enemy on his front 
with sufHcient vigor to prevent reinforce- 
ments from the enemy's left to right, but 
falling short of actual assault upon the 
works. . Thomas., and Scholield were to 
advance by a right wheel on Butterfield's 
left as a pivot until the enemy's lines 
were fully developed and tested. 

The left of Johnson's division of the 
Fourteenth Corps was about one mile 
from Camp Creek. Baird was still farther 
away, and Scholield had to swing forward 




unti 



I. IM.U Ih.N, A. 

his left a-ained several miles in order to reach the 



enemy's works across Swamp (/reek. The Fourth Corps 
had a still longer march. Scholield and Baird had difficult 
ground to advance over. The Fourth Corps was more fortu- 
nate in being able to march on wagon roads for several 
miles. Stanley's division marched at 5:30 a. m., taking a 
•cross road leading to the Tilton and Eesaca road, on which 
it turned south. Newton and Wood took a parallel road 
two miles west of the one taken by Stanley. About 9 a. iM. 
jS'ewton came up near to SchotieUrs left, and General How- 
ard ordered a line formed, Newton on the right. Wood next, 
Staidey to march across and form on Wood's left. At 1 p.m. 
the lines were ready to advance. At that time the center of 
the Fourth Corps was alK)ut foui- miU's north of Eesaca. At 



nATTf.E OF RES AC A. 



237 



1:1.") i>. .\i. the lint' ;itl\ aiitrd. :iii<l xi.tu ciicniiiitrrfil a siic- 
cL'Ssioii i>t -tcc|i iiaiTKW liiliics, oovi'iTtl with dciisL- f"()i"i'>t and 

UmltM-liToWtll. 

In tin- turward in< >\iiiu'nt Sclnifit.dd's It-t't (C'ox's division), 
swnni;- ahead ot llowai'ds ri<j:ht, and when the hittn- came 
uji it was disfoviTC'd that the iiielinatioii t<» the ri<rlit liad 
lii-i-n too ijri'at, tlifowinu" Newton's division and Willich's 
lti'iii-ad»' ot W'uotrs dixision in real" ot" Scliotiehl".- left, where 
the\' Were (»r(h'i-ed tn ninain in reserve. 

Ahunt IS'.O 1'. .\i. ('ci.\"s di\ision reachfd and carried an 
advance<l line of works, the enemy rctirinii' to his nmin line 
aliout thi'ce hiMidred yards sonth of tin' one taken. The 
line taken was not a stroni:" one, and was partially entiladed 
from a part of the enemy's nniin line to Cox's rinlit. In 
that jio-ition C'oxs men weri' nnder a 
destructive tire of hoth muski'try and 
artillery. Wood and StanK-y carrieil the 
advanced works on their fronts, ami cano' 
into close contact with the etu'iny's main 
lint'. At J>''i f. M. (Jeneral C'ox i-ejiorted 
his division out of ammunition. The 
ammunition wa_u;ons Inid heeii nnahlc to 
follow the troops throuu-h the thickets, 
llarker'.s and Willich's hrii^ades were 
ortlered to relieve Manson s and Kedly s 

res|iecti\ I'ly, of Cox's di\i>ion. in advancinii" ftn* the i«nr|to8e 
the troops encountered a territic fire ami suH'cretl severely. 
At the moment when (u'lieral Manson and (icneral Harker 
met in the works a shell exploded near them, hy which 
Manson was severely wounded ami rcmlcred unconscious and 
llarker was less severely wounded. 

Shortly after Manson's men retired from the works some 
Fedi'ral soldiers were oi)served amon^' the hn>lics on a ridge- 
in frcmt intermediate lietween tiie lines, and Hupjiosinir one 
o'( Manson's reiriments to be there the l:2.")th Ohio was ordered 




OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



to advance and relieve it. Colonel Opdycke led the regiment 
forward. In passing over the narrow valley or gorge hetweeu 
the ridges and while ascending the slope, the regiment eu- 
-countered a heav}' cross-fire from the right. On reaching 
the summit, it was discovered that instead of a regiment 
there were only a tew bold skirmishers, who had gained the 
advanced position and found it safer to stay than to go back. 
The 125th remained in the advanced position under a liot 
fire from the front and also from the right flank until the 
brigade exhausted its ammunition, and at 5 p. m. was in turn 
relieved by Sherman's brigade of our division. Colonel Op- 
dycke received a flesh wound in Ids arm, whicli compelled 
him to go back for surgical treatment, and Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Moore assumed command of the regiment. After 5 p. m. 
Harker's brigade was not under fire. Late in the afternoon 

I a determined attack was made on the left 

' .- 1 flank of the Fourth Corps, Stanley's 

I division. Stanley had discovered and 
i reported the march of two divisions of 
Hood's Corps to turn his flank. Williams' 
division of the Twentieth Corps was sent 
to Stanley's support, and arrived just as 
Stanley's left began to give way, when, 
alter a sharp conflict, the Confederates 
were repulsed. During the night strong 
ti^^— • : breastworks were constructed, the work- 

men being harrassed by a continuous artillery fire from the 
enemy's works. 

"We now notice the operations of the afternoon on other 
parts of the line. When Schofield's two di\isions advanced 
as already related, the right of Judah's division came up too 
far to the right and overlapped the left of Baird's division 
of the Fourteenth Corps. Baird advancing at the same time 
some confusion was produced. Baird and Judali had to 
traverse a wildei'uess also, and when tlieir lines emerged on 




Nicholas Winixg. A (1S90) 



BATTLE OF KTSACA. 



239 



a stoc'it hliltt' west of S\v;iiiiji (prck. ovcrlookiiiii- a iiai'i-o\v 
vallev three limulred to lour liuiidied yards wide and t'aciiiir 
tlie eiieniv's strotiif works 011 the ojipositf hhitis, there shoiihl 
have heeii a lialt tor i-eoi'iranizatioii. hut liaviiii:- no i»i-evi<ius 
knowledire ot the ground n«» oiih-l's to tliat etlect liad heell 
ijiven, and tlie men ruslied on th>wn the hank and aeross the 
open tiehh The assauh woidd have tailed with the hest 
iu'efiaration possihle, or rathei" it wouhl n<>t have heeii niatle 
at all it' the peeuliar eharaeter ot" the gmund and >tiri)irtli 'M 
the enemy's line at that point could have 
been discovered in ad\ance. Both di- 
A'isions ^utt'ered lu'avy los>es. 

In front of .lohnson"s division, next on 
Bairds riiiht, the enemy's works were on 
the crest of the ridge, which was at thai 
point ahout four hundred yards east (»f 
the creek, having open ground sl(»ping 
down from ihe works to tlie creek. John- 
son's left brigade (Cai'lin's) was nearest 
the creek, and when the roai' of battle on 

JJaird's front indicated his advance, Carlin advanced, crossed 
tlie creek under a destructive tire and went jtart way up the 
slope, where, finding he had no sup[torts on eitlier flank and 
his lines having been dis(»rdered in crossing the stivam, he 
orderetl a retreat to the bank of the creek. Meantime the 
lirigade t<> his right (King's), starting latci- and witnessing 
Carliirs rei>ulse, halted at the deck. Both bi'igadcs held 
the line of the i-reek. 

Buttertield's division of the Twentieth Corps, next on 
Johnson's right, maintained a lively skirmish during tin- 
day. Still farther to the right the skirmishers of the Army 
of tlie Tennessee were active. In the atternoon. when the 
roar of battle to their Ictt indi<ated h(»t woik. M( l*hcrs«»n'> 
<lemonstrations became more em}diatic. < >sterhaus succeeded 
in capturing tin- bridge across Camp Cnok on the lu-saca 




240 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



I'oad, throwing tlie 12th Missouri across to form ^^tete. <hi pont 
and hohl it. About 5 p. m. Logan ordered an assault by two 
brigades on a range of hills on the east bank of Camp Creek, 
extending from the Resaca Road to the Oostanaula. The 
brigades of Brig, Gen, Charles R. Woods and Brig, Gen. 
Giles A. Smith were selected to make the assault, and 
shortly before 6 o'clock they went forward, waded the 
stream, ascended and carried the liills at the point of the 
bayonet. A heavy column w^as sent forward from the ene- 
my's works near the town to dislodge Woods and Smith, 

and made a most determined counter 
assault. Brigadier General Light- 
burn's brigade and other troops were 
pushed forward by McPherson to 
]"cinforce the advanced line, and the 
enemy was repulsed with heavy loss. 
By the next morning the position 
was SO' strongly fortified as to defy 
assault, and artillery brought for- 
ward to it commanded both the rail- 
way and wagon bridges across the 
Oostanaula, compelling the enemy to 
TiuoiAs I'AY, c (i?>9o). ^^^^ .^ road and lay a pontoon bridge 

a mile above the town. Sweeney's divison of the Sixteenth 
Corps had been sent to Lay's Ferry, a few miles below^ 
Resaca, under orders to effect a crossing and cover the lay- 
ing of a pontoon bridge. One brigade crossed and drove otf 
the enemy's cavalry on the southern bank, but Sweeney then 
received a false report that the enemy was crossing to the 
north side between Lay's Ferry and Resaca, and he with- 
drew to that side and fell back a mile or two. When the 
fact that Union troops had crossed was reported to General 
Johnston, he sent Walker's division of ILirdee's Corps to 
resist the movement. Walker, arriving after Sweeney had 
withdrawn, reported no Federal ti'oops on the south side, 




LOSSF.S AT RES AC A. 



241 



aiitl was at oiict' rccallcMl. SwcriifV ail\ :iiicc(l ai^aiii <»ii tlif 
lotli, crossed his oiitirc <li\isi(iii to tlif south >u\v and in- 
ti'iMicluMl. hiyiiiu" down two pontoon liridi:(s. 

( )n tlic liiK'S ahout Kosat-a a sharp skirmish lire was 
maintained at all jioints. the si-i'ioiis work on thi' l.')tli 
ocenrrinu' "H 'l'*' extreme lett. kSherman sent Hooker and 
Reliotichl to tiie h-lt, wdiero tliey were nut hy Hood's Corps 
advancini:" to turn our tlank. .\ hard tiu'ht eiisueil. in which 
Hooker u'ained ii'rouiKh ( >n the Fourth ("orps tVont (h-nioii- 
strations were ma(h' in sup[»ort ol' 
Jlooker. and Wood's division hecainc 
seriou>ly eiiLraii'iMl, Hazens an<l W il- 
lieh's hi'igades inakin^' an assauh. in 
whieh (Teiiera! Willieh was seriously 
woundeih 'J'he ll'-uli was in the 
second line all day hcliind work- 
thrown up in llie niii'ht. Ahout 
ini(hiiu-ht Newton's skirmish line 
tried thi- enemy's works, hojiiuii; to 
find them vacated, Imt met with a 
hot reception and heat a hasty re- 
treat. After midniu'lit the enemy 
did retreat across tht,- ()ostanaula. and their ahseiice was dis- 
coveretl at dayiu'eak. 

Colonel < )pdyeke reporteij the casualfit's in the l'i.')tli at 
Kesaca as ."> killed, (i mortally wounded, 4;") woundeil ; total. 
.")»». The list here u'iven is from the ()hio iJoster, and t'oots 
up killed, !• mortally wounded, ")S wounded; total, 7-, an 
excess ot" It! o\"er Opdyeke's n-jiort. Witlnuit douht sixti'en 
ol" those included in this list wi-re wounde(l at lio(d<y Face 
riidu'e instead ol' at Kesaca. Those killed at liesacu were 
Corj". Kphraim Snyder, .lolm I )antortli. Coriudius .1. Detelion 
and .lames Flack, of A, and Timothy Corley, of D. 

Mortally wounded — deremiah ('allaiuin and William 
Hickson, of A : C'ctrp. (leorue W. Simpson, ot' (": dohn (iil- 




«^l INTY I.ATIN. (■ llV.t.i). 



242 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



bert and Edward B. Hollister, of 1); Albert Holdeii, of E; 
Corp. William Porter, of F ; Michael Gal)le, of I, and David 
Border, of K. 

Wounded — Colonel Opdycke, niinie l)all tlii-ougli his 
arm ; Ser2;t. Maj. Henry A. Bell ; Company A, Sergt. Mi- 
chael Woolford, Sergt. Robert P. King, Samuel Morningstar, 
Thomas Richmond, Jonathan Wining, Nicholas Wining; 
Company C, Corp. James Sanner, Robert Parker, Enoch 
Boyd, Thomas Eay, Quincy Latin (slight from shell), Mmos 
Radcliff and Seneca St. John : Companj^ D, Iliram Allen, 
Daniel Bloomer, Theophile Ducquet, Andrew J. Gillen, 
James E. Hathaway, Edward McLane, 
John Moran and John Putnam ; Com- 
pany E, Corp. William McGatchey, Addi- 
son Darrow, Thomas Johnson, James B. 
Scott and William Chamberlain; Com- 
pany F, Sergt. Alexander H. Postlewait, 
Sergt. Jei-emiah S. Stinger, Corp, John 
Getz, Manoah P. Harris, Joseph H. Keys, 
Altred Maxon (slight), John North and 
William H. Ransom ; Company G, Sergt. 
James M. Reynolds, Charles Knapp and 
Alexander Van Gorder ; Company H, Oscar C. Ames and 
August Pietsch ; Company I, Sergt. Reubin M. Steele, John 
Bohn, Patrick Donoghue, James S. Haley, Jacob Musser, 
Elden Porter Daley, August Weber, Frank C. Worth and 
Thomas Davis; Company K, Sergt. James Wetzel, Sergt. 
Oren V. Payne, Corp. James M. Carter, Corp. Henry Well- 
ing, -John H. Brandebury, Daniel S. Halstead, Henry Lymau 
and David Moler. 

William McKinley, of C; John M. Tippie, of E; Marion 
Murphy, of F, and Samuel Green, of I, also appear in the 
Ohio Roster as wounded at Resaca, but are omitted above 
and included in our list of wounded at Rocky Face. Postle- 
wait, of K, had the l)ones of his left leg shattered by a nnnie 




.ICA'OSS 11 IE OOSTAXAl'f.A. 



243 



ball. Itiit ret iinicd to IIk' rt'ii'iiiu'iit farlv in I >fct'iiilifi-. liaviiiii; 
lictii jiroinotrd to lioutoiiaiit. Sti'i-lc. of l,\\a> woinHlfd 1)\- 
tilt.' (.■Xjilosioii of' a ii'ini lie jiicki'd up w licii liis own !irr;uiic 
lioatc'd. and onr ot liis ryes hccaini' liliiidtil. In one week 
tlif I'J'iili liad lost o\fr one liiindrtMl nit-n. At that rate 
oidy tlif liu-ky I'cw conM lio|n' to sec Atlanta at tin- end of 
the caiiiiiaiu'n. 

lat.Mi; ciioss i;t».\i>s. 

Tlir I'lioiny I la vi iiii' • crossed the Oostanaida, Sherman 
ordered McJ'herson to marcli down stream to Lay's Fi-rrw 
wliere Sweeni'vs division was already across coN'eriiiii" th(^' 
jiontoon hridi^es laid on the ir)th, and to cross there and ad- 
vance towards Adairsville. Sweeney's division advanced 
witliout waiting for the rest ot" the 
conim'and and enconntered a purt of 
Hardee's Corps near Rome Cross 
Ivoads, three or four miles west of 
Calhoun, w here a hot contest ensued, 
in which Sweeney's troops, tliouuli 
hard pressed, held tiieir ii'round un- 
til reinforced. ]i\' tiiglit all of M.- 
Pherson's command was in position 
at that point. 

CM. lloix. 

Tiie Fourth Corps, followed l)y "" ' ^ " |''-tikua,ths<;4,. 
two divisi(Mis of the Fourteenth, crossi'd at Ixesaca and 
a<l\anred hy roads parallel with the railroad to ('alhoiui. 
The lii.'ith marched at S a. m. with tin- dixision ; entered 
Kesaca at 10 a. .m.. waited for repairs to the wagon bridge, 
tlien crossed and advam-ed on the direct road to C^alhoun, 
llai-kei''s brigade having the adxaiice. The 4'Jiid Illinois on 
the skirmish line, su[>ported by the ;»rd Kentucky ami G4th 
Ohio, encountered the enemy's »-avalry rear guard within a 




244 



OPDYCKE TIGERS. 



milt.' tVmn tlio river aiul drove tlieiii steadily, sustaining Imt 
slight losses. 

The day was bright and warm, roads dusty, and very 
little water found on the line of march. The country was 
ri^lling, heavih" timbered with occasional clearings. A suc- 
cession of low ridges gave the enemy favorable ground for 
successive stands, and their resistance made the march slow 



■.m'-J 









namsey v^ -^ i 

CDciitis 

i I 






E K i/0( R^-' -[.as 



'f»^" cfCoosav iji.! "ROME 







Resaca to CASfJvn.T.r:. 



and tedious. Al)ont 4:80 i*. m. lieavy tiring to the right front 
indicated that McPherson"s troojts had lound the enemy in 
force At 6:30 p. m. our division arrived near Calhoun and 
bivouacked for the night, the rest of the column coming up 
and eoing into bivouac on arrival. 



.-/ n I '.IXC/-: 7'0 .1 PA IRS i //. /. /•; 



245 



Tlif Tw riitict li and Twciit y-t liinl ('•ii-|i>. lia\iiiir iikhU- 
a (K'tdiir t<i tlu' ('a>t, wrw drhiytd liy the in-fosity of Itriv- 
i III:' oil >iiiall llatlxials. Tlif 'I'wi'iit ict li ( 'mI'1i> aiKaiiccd iViiiu 
tin- rivt'i- nil till' attcninoii of the ITtli, and Scliotifld I'nl- 
luwtd. niaklnu" a niiflit iiiaiili, luttli f(tnii!ian(ls iiiarcliln^ 
tdwartN Ailaii'svillc. 



AI»\IK>\ ll.l.i;. 

May 17 Nowtoii's division a<i::iiii l«'d tlii' colmiiii, inarcli- 
ini; oM tlu' diiH>rt r<iad to Adaifsvillc. Wood's division t'ol- 
lowi'd tlie failfoad and Staidov's toUowed Newton's. Tin- 
Fifst IJriirado of oiir division Imd the atlvaiitc. 'j'lic oiitli 
and ssth Illinois, l.")tli Missouri and L'4tli Wisconsin did tlie 
skii'inisli woi'k. TIk- I'lUMnys rcaf 
li'uafd was found within a inilr fVoiii 
Calhoun, and tlu-y niadr a nioro 
ottV'ctivt' rosistaiK-f than on tin- jii\'- 
eediiiij day, inHictinu; m'vcic lossos 
oil the skii'ini>hois, who found it 
nft't'>sary to (.'Xi>«,'l tlu'iii iVoni sne- 
cessivo i»ositioiis, whcif tiny hail 
coustiMU'trd tail haniradcs. 

Wood- dixisioii also toiiiid a 
I'car li'iiaid of tlio eiictny in its liont. 
with which a lively -kinni>h was 
iiiaiiitaiiicd. (hi Newton's tront 
tluTe was occasional aftillofv tiiiiULT. TroiiTess was slow. 
Tho country was similar to that north <»f ('alhoini. well 
adapted to t he eiieinys ojn-rat ion>. The <la\ \\ m> ver\ wai in. 
In the afternoon a heavy storm modiljcd the tom|K'ratiire 
sliifhtly. Tho head of column only ailvaiiccd eiirht 'nih-s, to 
a itoint ahout two miles north of Aihiirsvil'e. At that point 
the enemy's resistance hecame more decided, aii<l the skir- 
mi>hers heinir unahle to advance, a liiu' ot" hattlc was tonneil 




•Klli.r. .1. S. STIM.KI!. F ,i>'.r. 



246 



OPDYCKE TIG BBS, 



and advanced to a proper position from which to assault. 
The First Brigade and part of our brigade became hotly 
engaged, the enemy keeping up a continuous musketry and 
artillery tire, from which the First Brigade, being most 
exposed, sutfered severely, while the rest of the division sus- 
tained only a few casualties. Staidey's division went into 
line on Newton's left. Wood on the right. General Howard 
ordered Newton to assault at 6 p. m., but just before that 

time Generals Sherman and Thomas 
arrived at the front, and Thomas 
ordered the move suspended, on 
account of the lateness of the hour. 
The enemy kept up a steady 
tire until dark, McPherson had ad- 
vanced on roads a few miles to the 
I'ight and diverging from those 
taken by Thomas" troops. At night 
be was several miles distant, oppo- 
site Johnston's flank. The losses in 
our First Brigade that day were : 
36th Illinois, one officer and twenty- 
six men ; 44th Illinois, four killed and thirty-two wounded ; 
74tli Illinois, one killed and thirty wounded. 

ROME. 




John Geiz, F (l^'.)5). 



On the morning of Maj' 16, Brig. Gen. Davis' division 
of the F(.)urteenth Corps had been detached at Resaca, under 
orders to follow Garrard's cavalry division down the Oosta- 
naula to tlie mouth of Armuchee (^reek, where it was sup- 
posed a bridge existed, by which Garrard and Davis were to 
cross and break the railroad between Rome and Kingston, 
and then rejoin the main column. Davis marched fifteen 
miles on the 16th. In the night Garrard passed through his 
camp, en rv^ite for Resaca, reporting no ])ridge to be found. 



IU).\[E lAKI.X. 



247 



f>a\is then (Iftt'nniiifd oii liis dw n i-c>|m .ii>iltilit v tn ;i<l\ aiicf 
to lioliit' alitl \\-\ til capt lire that plat'c ami scriirf (lie hi'idi^cs 
there. 

( )li the 17th he a(l\:nie»Ml to limine, ami hy iiiuhl dioNe 
the enemy's skii-iiii>lief> into the main line of works, on the 
west hank of the ( )ostanaiihi. 

On the morninii" of the Isthit w a^ jound t hat the enemy 
had uithdiawii across the n\"er, leavinif only a I'ear t^nard, 
whiidi havis" skirmishers |>i'oni|itly expelled. The enemv 
had two formidalih' tield works across tlu' river. l)avis 
o|iened on them with two batteries, |ilaeud on J)eSoto Hill, 
and si'nt McCook's hrii:ade to (dfi-ct a erossinii; ahove tin- 
town. 'Idle 8.')th Illinois c-onstructed rafts of lous and rails, 
on which they erossed and then atlvaiu-ed, drivinii' in the 
enemy's skirnisliers, and heiiiu" now attacked from a dire«-tioii 
which mnst soon insure their capt iiri'. t he enemy heat a hasty 
retreat a*'ross the Ktowah, leavinu- Davis in j»oss«'»ion of th*- 
town and works. The loss to tlu- enemy 
was I'lihaneed hy the fact that they had 
used extensive iron works ami machine " 
shojis at Home in the maniifact iire ot' ord- 
iiam-e supi>lies. 

(.\>s\l 1,1.1;. 

l*'rom the appearance of thiiiijs at 
Adairsville on the eveidnu'td .May 17. it 
wa< thoiiLi-ht that didiiistoii mii:lit ^'ixc 
i>attle tlicro on tlie iStli, and a concentra- 
tion was ordered. At daylight on tin- Isth. howi'ver, the 
title pits in front of our division wi-re emjity and Xewton 
was ordered to advance. Ilarker's hriu-atle hatliiii^ and the 
•2"2nd Illinois on the skirmish line. The command passed 
through till' enemy's intremhed line to Adairsville, wliere it 
rested until 1 w m.. at which time the march was ronmed. 
Wood's divisi(»n h'adiiiir. Ilarker's hriuadi- moved on the 




Wv.v. 1.1 s .li I I t |i \\ I- 



248 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



railroad, following one of Wood's brigades. Wood's skir- 
mishers had light work, finding only cavalry on their front 
and driving them on without difhculty. Tlie country was 
more open and contained many cultivated fields. At 6 p. m. 
the troops went into camp on Connasene Creek, about six 
miles south of Adairsville. On tliat date Hooker advanced 
to a point about three miles east of Adairsville, and Scholield 
in the same direction. McPherson advanced to Woodland. 
On the 19th the march was resumed at 5 a. m., Stanley's 
division leading, followed by Wood's and that by Newton's. 
At 8 A. M., one-half mile beyond Kings- 
ton, Stanley found a force of the enemy 
posted on a ridge, who opened with six 
gans and a brisk skirmish fire. Stanley 
iormed line, advancing at 8:30, supported 
by Wood, when the enemy retired. Stan- 
ley then resumed his march in an easterl}^ 
direction, proceeding about four miles, 
where the enemy was again discovered 
drawn u}> in line of battle. Stanley 
formed line of battle. Wood, on arrival, 
formed on Stanley's right. Newton's division had followed 
the railroad, and went to Stanley's left. At 1:30 p. m. Gen- 
eral Howard ordered the artillery to open on the enemy, and 
a little later strong reserve lines were advanced to support 
the skirmishers. The enemy then began to retreat, Stanley 
and Wood advancing. When they had advanced one-fourth 
of a mile they were halted by order of General Thomas 
until Newton's division could be massed on the other side of 
the creek, on which Stanley's left rested, and drive out the 
forces seen in the woods apparently moving to turn the fiank. 
Newton executed the movement, the enemy falling back. 
The advance in column was then resumed, and on advancing 
one mile the enemy was found again in line, and the Fourth 




JosEi'H H. Keys, F. 



c.iss 1 7 /././-:. 



24^ 



Corps au:aiii loniicd liiir <>t' l»:ittlf, W'ihmI on tlu- linlil, 
Stanley (»n tlif Ift't. Newton in reserve. 

Howard re^-i-ixed an order iViini Sherman to jMit tliii'ty 
or forty j»ieees ot" artilU'rv in [lositimi and shell the woods in 
front NJgoroiisly, and afterward feel the enemy. The ai'tillery 
oiH'iietl ami continued lor an hour and a half then eeased, 
and the skirmish lim-s went forward, fojlowetj l»y ihi' maiii 
liiH'. \\\ that time the Foiirti-enth Corps had come up and 
formed on the riu'ht, and the Twenliet h Corps on the left. 
The whole line ad\aneed, tryinii' to ri-aeh Cas>\ille. The 
skirmi>h tire wasxcry liea\ y and |)rou'ress slow. .\t 7 i'. .m. 
a halt was ordered, the line heinu' then witliin one mih- td" 
(■a>s\ille. In the last adxanet' onr division was in reserve, 
ami just l)efoi"e siimlown was ordt'i'ed to form on Stanley's 
left, eonmM'tine" with (ieary's division of Hooker's corps. ()m 
arriving- at the position assi«;ned it was fonml that 110 n-ap 
existed hetween Staidey ami (leary. and 
Xewtoii hivonaeke(l Just in rear of the 
line. The los>e> during" the day in the 
Fourth ('(U-ps were remarkaMy liuht. 
The fretpient elianges of position and 
I'epeated formation of lines nnide the 
advance unusually wearis(Mne. 

llo(d<er had advance<l hy a road 
leadiuii" <lireet from Adairsxille to Cass- 
\ille, ami met opposition similar to that 
TxperieiiciMl hy the l''ourtli ('or|i>. Sclio- 
tit'ld moved on parallel r«)ads and eame up on Hooker's left. 
Mi'lMu-rson's comnniml halted near Iviui^ston. It was.lolin- 
ston's purpose to risk a hattle at Cassville, and he had 
intrenched on a raiiu'e of hills t'ast td' the town for that 
purpose, i>ut two ot his c(»rps eommamlers oi>jeeted, claimiui^ 
their positions were untenahle. ami deeminir it unwise to i^o 
into hattle under tho>e (•ircumstanees dtdinston, air;dnst hia 
own Judirment, ordered a retreat lu-yond the Ktowah. 




.InllN .\..|illt. 1 



-250 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



On May 20, the enemy having retreated again, Schofield 
was ordered to pursue to the river, and he advanced Cox's 
division to Cartersville, meeting but slight resistance from 
Johnston's rear guard. The Army of the Cumberland 
remained in the vicinity of Cassville and the Army of the 
Tennessee near Kingston for three days, officers and men 
enjoying the respite from marching and lighting although 
the time was occupied in active preparations for another 
advance. Kingston was made the depot of supplies at which 
wagons were loaded for a twenty days' absence from the 

i-ailway. The sick and wounded 
were sent to the rear, and b}' the 
morning of tlie 23rd all were ready 
to march. Brig. Gen. Nathan Kim- 
ball assumed command of the First 
Brigade of our division on the 22nd. 

NEW hopp: church. 

Johnston's arni}' crossed the 
Etowah several miles east ot Kings- 
ton and was posted on Allatoona 
Hills. Sherman regarded a direct 
advance impracticable, and resolved to turn the position by 
marching southward twenty-live miles to Dallas, tlienee east 
twenty miles to Marietta, or to any other point on the rail- 
road he mio'ht be able to reach. The movement l)egan 014 
May 23. McPherson moved on the road to Van Wert, 
crossed the Etowah at Wooley's bridge, camping at night on 
Euharlee Creek. Thomas' command advanced on Dallas 
by Euliarlee and Stilesboro. Hooker's corps had the ad- 
vance, and moved at daylight, followed by Howard's corps 
at noon, and that by two divisions of Palmer's corps. Hooker 
crossed on pontoons above Milam's bridge, Howard, followed 
by Palmer, crossed at Gillem's Bridge, all advancing to 




James ISI. Reynolds, U (J880). 



.\7-:ir //()/'/■: ('//ca'c//. 



25« 



Mnliark'c C'ri'rk, oiir division, the l:i>t in tlir l'"i>iiitli ('(>i'|». 
iToiuii' into ciinij) ;it 11 i'. m. Sdiotifld tnllnw cd llcxdMi-. 
.\l(( "(lok's caxidrv, in iKhantc of lldoker, skinnislicd with 
tlic rni'niy t<» Stileshoi'o, wlici't' Mt-Cook's :id\-:iiicc was 
ilittkt'd. Stonenians cavali\ covered the Idt and rear. 



A .TXi'~r 







if ''•'i.lNGS-c.i.sville 



i^siVjfiCt -♦, 



> 



cjoj 



>blrX 



Salt|>t'tre ' 

» ! 

'Cbuiio 



C<vH 



.. -VV •S--»>-A^a{o6[.a ^ 
\ ^ -, " " 



; Ft. oOr»ng<f • 

Sumuston S.Ucnlo.»D- 

)Iiicidonl«.| V. 

E<|R Q/ K^ E E j, 

Fr«(•n1aIl»^lll<! 



d>.';i(. / New -Hope Church »(t/V/V£i,'/1WAf^.T; V-^'V--^iV ^^J^'rJ ^^'"-'■ETy 

Cil 1 V/i-opiM sprinijrh 3^ii,„J ji.nS-.'i.e'^ """* \ iMii.M *, „i^ '^Itfn ,v<^-'S'"- ■ 







Piil>b»r"ii1» 






CaxsVILI.K To ATLANTA. 



(Jarrards cavalry was with MilMu-r-on. The <hiy \va> hot 
and tlio roads (histy. May '1\ Mcl'her.st^m marched thnmiih 
\'an Wert and turned towiii'ds Dalhis. Mi-Cooks cavahy 
preceded Hooker in the nu»venient on Burnt Hickory and 



252 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



then moved towards AUatoona, under orders to picket 
all the roads strongly. The Fourth Corps followed the 
Twentieth, going into camp at Burnt Hickory on Hooker's 
right. The Fourteenth Corps camped that night at AUa- 
toona Ridge, midway between Stilesboro and Burnt Hickory. 
Schofield advanced on Thomas' left. McCook captured a 
Confederate courier, bearing a dispatch from General John- 
ston to General Jackson, in which it was stated that 
Johnston was moving in the direction of Dallas. Garrard's 
cavalry, in front of McPherson, reached Pumpkin Vine 
(^reek, where it repulsed an attack and 
drove the enemy's cavalry back toward 
DaUas. On this date Davis division of 
tiie Fourteenth C/Orps marched from 
Rome by way of Van Wert to join the 
Corps. 

The movement on Dallas was or- 
dei-ed to continue on the 25th, but was 
intei'iHi})ted by the enemy, resulting in a 
furious battle and giving a new direction 
to the advance. 
McCook's cavalry and Butterfield's division of tlie 
Twentieth Corps marched on the road from Burnt Hickory 
to Golgotha, Geary's division on the direct road to Dallas, 
Williams' division on a road to the right; the Fourth Corps 
followed Williams. General Hooker went in person with 
Geary, wlio found the Bridge over Pum[»kin Vine Creek at 
Owen's Mill burning, and extinguished the flames. When 
the division crossed, General Hooker ordered Geary to ad- 
vance on the fork of the road leading to New Hope Church. 
The 7th Ohio Infantry, deployed as skirmishers, came upon 
the enemy near Hawkins' house, one and a half miles east 
from the bridge. Candy's brigade deployed and advanced 
half a mile, driving infantry belonging to Hood's Corps. 




11aI.L\ , 1 ilNV"' 



,y/-:ir iiorr: ciu'rcii. 



253 



From jii'isoiKTs ciiiitiiri'il it \\";i> Icanicil tli;it lIi". d's 
entire c-oi'ps was near New Hope CImi'tli. (jcticial Hooker 
sent orck'i's tor liuttertiold aiul Williaiiis t<t cioss over and 
join GcaiT. Williams was witliin two miles ot" Uallas with 
iiis lu'ad of coliimii when lii' iTr<'i\c(l the order, and lie at 
once ahont-taeed, niovini;^ by the Kd't tlank haek to the stream 
and np that to (4('arv"s i-oad. then foi-wanh 

llowai'd was at Ilafdins house, alioiit seven mile- tVoiii 
J-)allas, wdien an ordci' was rt'criNcd iVom (leneial 'riioinjis to 
lake the nearest cross road and join llo(d<cr. 

liookei' foiMni'd each di\ision in column ot" luiuado and 
ad\anc*MK dri\iiii:' tlu' enemy's >kinMisher> rapiilly tor the 
distanee of one mile tlien more slowly halt' a mile further to 
their nuiin lines, whicli they assaulted hut could not eairy, 
altin)Uii:h the hi-ii:"ath's passetl lines, each in turn i:-etiinu- a 
little nearer to the works. Plie entire c(U'|is hecaine eniiaL'"cd. 
Our division, leailinu" in Howard's C(»rps, 
came u[i to HtM>ker"s i\'ar as the latter 
was ahout to adxance and wtuit into line 
on the riiiht ot' the roail, and later moved 
hy tlu- left tlaid< into the road and-then 
forwanh A heavy rain storm set in 
ahout 7:->0 and continue»| t'or se\eral 
hours, in the niiilst of which and in im- 
]>enetrable (hirkness our di\isi(ui at <S::)() 
1'. .M. got into }»ositioii on Hooker's left, 
followed hy Staideys and later hy Wood's 
divisions, all arriviiiii' too late to become luiiras^^ed. Hooker's 
losses for the (hiy footed n]> (>:> otticers and ItiO-J nuui. At 
the sound ot' the tirst _i,^ini. Sherman and 'IMiomas had lias- 
teneil to the t'ront. and witnessed the operat ions, dojjnston's 
army was aiiain in iMisition^,across the line ot advance, 
Hood's Corps on the riirlit, its center at New Hope ("hureh; 
Polks C'orjis in the ciMiter and Hardee's on tlu- left. His 
line crossed the road from Hallas to Marietta. 




.r\>IK> M. < AKIl 1:. K. 



254 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



New Hope Church, situated five miles northeast of 
Dallas, is a place where several important roads intersect, 
and therefore of strategic importance. 

Hooker's battle on the 25th was the introduction to 
a struggle which may be fairly described as a continuous 
battle, raging for eleven days and nights with hardly an 
hour's intertiiission. There were distinct battles at various 
points on a line ten miles long, some of them named by the 
troops engaged as separate battles, but New Hope Church 
was the central point. From one end of 
the line to the other the contending 
forces w^ere in close contact. Artillery 
and skirmish firing was incessant. Men 
were shot at all hours of the day and 
night. On many parts of the line it was 
never safe to raise a head above the 
Itreastworks, and hazardous to move 
about even in rear of the reserve lines. 

May 26 McPherson's command ad- 
vanced, clearing away the enemy's out- 
posts, and before night found Hardee's main line, about two 
miles east of Dallas. Davis" division of Palmer's corps, by 
General Thomas' direction, advanced to the left of the Army 
of the Tennessee. Hooker readjusted his lines, drove the 
enemy's skirmishers into his works and intrenched his own 
line. His line was on the right of the road from Burnt 
Hickory. Howard ordered Newton to advance, swinging 
his left forward, until all parts of the line came into close 
contact with the enemy's works, and sent Wood to prolong 
the line to the left. Wood drove the enemy's skirmishers 
before him, keeping up the wheeling movement so as to 
maintain connection with Newton, crossed Brown's Mill 
Creek and secured an important hill, which was then be- 
lieved to be opposite Hood's right fiank. By those move- 
ments Howard's line ran almost east and west and nearly at 




J. H. Bkandkhi KV. K. 



.\7:ir no PR cifi'Rcii. 



255 



I'iii'lit aiiiiU's ti> tliat ot" Ili»t»krr. wliidi lacfil cast. Tlic line 
was iiitiviiclu'd a> last as jiossililc. hiiriiiu- tlic ni^-lit artil- 
k'l'v was plact'd in jiositioii. Sclioticlcrs corps iiiovi-d into 
position on Howard's lid't, Itut with a rot'iisod line, faciiiiJ^ 
nearly east. At many jtojnts tlic lines establi-licd were 
witliin one linndred yards ut' the enemy's works. 'IMiere was 
l»risk skirmisliinii' on all [larts of the lines and many casual- 
ties. One-halt" of the 12')th was on picket duty dnrinu; the 
• lay: the other half remained with the seeoiul line ami 
workt'il (in intrenehinents at ni^'ht. 

May '11 was opened with ai'tillery lirin^' and hea\y skir- 
mishinu" on all pai'ts of the lines, nniintaincd all day in aid 
of a flank movi'meiit. <M'ncral Shcrnnm had oi'dcrcd an assault 
from the vicinity of Wood's posititui with a \ic\v tn tnrniuii^ 
the enemy's riiiht. Tlnunas and Howard 
looked the ii'round over and decidctj that 
it must he made further t(» the east in 
ordei- to pass l>ey<unl the eut-mys works. 
Howard was ordered to reru'W Wood's 
di\ision with Staidey's and moxc Wond 
tit the lett beyoml SchotieUl, and there 
try to find and turn the eiuuny's Hank. 
didins(Ui's divisi(Ui of the Fourteenth 
Corps was ordered to follow and suppoi't 
Wood. By Howard's order Wood tiled '^1""'" 1 -"- 
left and movt-d east to the vicinity of Picket's Mill, where 
Hiiward ami Wcn.d rcc< uiiioit cred ami discovered a new line 
of works to their riuht on whieh the enemy were still work- 
ing, but coidd see none direetly in front. MeLean's brii^ade 
of ScliotieM's eorjis ha<l deployed on Wc^od's ric^ht to keep 
up corumuuieation, an<l was now oi'den-d to nmve out oppo- 
site the works to Wood's i'ii!:ht, draw their tire and occupy 
the enemy's attention. J(dins(»n was brouirht forward on 
Wood's h'tl. It was 4:-'><> v. M. when all were readv and the 
oiMler to advance was ii:iven. Wood's di\ision Avas toi'Uied in 




256 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



six lines, half a brigade front, Hazen's brigade leading, fol- 
lowed by Gibson's and that by Knetlers. But two brigades 
•of Johnson's division were present. Scribner's was formed 
on the left of Gibson's brigade, and King's followed to ])e 
used as occasion required. Hazen advancing emerged from 
the thicket, then encountered a territic fire from the front 
iind both flanks, but pushed on, crossed tlie field, ascended to a 
wooded slope, and, contrary to expectations, found a line of 
works, his first line planting their colors within a dozen yards 
of the works, where a slight irregulaiMty of the ground 
aftbrded partial shelter. Hazen maintained the fight until 
ammunition was exhausted, when Gibson's bi-igade relieved 
Hazen's. Gibson also assaulted the works, but the teri-ible 
fire encountered, especially from the left flank, made success 
impossible, and he fell back seventy or 
eighty 3'ards and there ke[)t up a steady 
fire until ammunition was exhausted, 
when he was in turn succeeded by 
Knefler's brigade. Knefler was ordered 
not to assault, l)ut his men pushed well 
up and by a steady fire contined the 
enemy to his works until about JO p. m., 
when their slackening fire revealed to 
the enemy their failing supply of ammu- 
li. I'oKTKi: dai.kv, J (iMiO). intion, and the enemy sallied and charged. 
Most of Knefler's men had reserved one or two cartridges 
for an emergency, and they poured in a volley so destructive 
as to instantly terminate the charge. Quite a number of 
Knefler's officers and men, who were in advance of the main 
line, were captured in that charge. Knefler then retired to 
the right of the line ah-eady taken u]) by Hazen and Gil)son, 
about two hundred yards from the enemy's works. In the 
meantime Schofield's corj)s liad wheeled to the right so as to 
face south and i>rolong the main hues eastward, but did not 
<\\tend far cnoun'h to connect with Wood. Johnson formed on 





Hudson Fitch, D (1895). 



A'y-:ii' //()/'/■: cm rln. 



257 



Wood's K't"t. iM'tbrc <layliu"lit tlic lu-w liiu-s wrrc iiit I'^'iicliid. 
Tlie losses ill Woods division that day oxcecck'd 150<.l iiu'ii. 

Ill addition to tlu' Pickctts' Mills afKair, tlio ojioratioii on 
tlie sanu' date on Xrwton's tVdnt and on the extreme right 
of Mcl'liiTsoirs conunand are descivinu' td" special uotiee. 

Kinilialis and W^iuiu i"> hriicades <•!' Xi-wton's division 
advanced, li'ainiiiii- ground. At oi-JO i'. m. the enemy charged 
in an ettort to recover the ground, and were repulst'd, 
^\'alcutt"s brigade of Harrow's division lu-M the right of 
Mcrherst)n's line on the \'ilhi Kica 
road. About 1 i-. m. Waleutt's line 
wa> slu'lled heavily and thenassault- 
e<l, the enemy being rt.'[>ulsed with 
heavy loss. 

( )n this date JIarker's bi-igaile 
on the right of Newton's line was 
engaged lU'ineipally in strengthening 
the breastworks. The (54th Ohio 
was on the skirmisli line, and lost 
J/ient. George ('. Marshall and two 
men killed and tive wounded. Sev- 
eral men of other regiments in oui' 
brigade were hit while working on the breastworks. At 
dark the 125th relieved the »!4tli Ohio on tlu' skirmish line. 

May 2H, and on eat-li succeeding day including June ."). 
and fre(|uent1y at night, tlu-re was constant artillery tiring 
and skii-mishing on some parts of the lines. Sherman had 
determined to try for the raili-oad at Ackwortli. Mcriierson 
was ordered to move the Army (»!' the Tennessee three or 
lour miles to the left, across the interval between his left and 
General llodker's position, but did not tinil it easy to do so. 
The enemy assaulted his lines late in the atternoon, striking 
Ids several divisions in succession from right to hd't. Wal- 
eutt's briga<lc, still on the extreme right, had the hardest 
woj-k to hold tlu'ir gi'ound, but managed to do so, their vvell- 




\\ \i;i!KN H. KlMIKI,. I! (Mi."ii. 



258 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



aimed volleys at short range inflicting terrible punishment. 
The enemy left 244 of their dead and severely wounded men 
on Walcutt's front, and almost as many more on other parts 
of Logan's line. "VValcutt lost three of his regimental com- 
manders — Colonel Dickerman, 103rd Illinois, and Major 
Giesy, commanding 4(3th Ohio, mortally wounded, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Miller, 6th Iowa, severely wounded. 

May 29 McPherson attempted to withdraw from the line 
in front of Dallas and move to the left, but when his troops 
began to leave the works the enemy at 
once advanced, and tliey were compelled 
to rush back to the works. McPherson 
then constructed a new line some distance 
to the rear in which to make a stand if 
promptly i)ursued and otherwise to be 
held b}' a rear guard until the main bod}" 
got well away, and at sunrise of June 1 
successfully withdrew and moved to the 
left, relievinglHooker's corps in front of 
Kew Hope Churcli. General Davis' di- 
vision at the same time relieved part of Schofield's corps, 
while Stanley and Newton extended their lines to relieve the 
balance of Schofield's troops. Baird's division came u[) from 
Burnt Hickory and went to tlie left. 

On June 2nd Hooker and Schofield moved to the left 
beyond Baird to the position held by Stoneman's cavalry, 
and these two corps and Baird's division then advanced by a 
right wheel, skirmishing briskh' and gaining ground. On 
the 3rd they continued to advance until they gained the 
roads leading from Dallas to the railroad at Ackworth. 
While these movements were in progress, demonstrations 
were made on other parts of the line to hold the enemj^ in 
position and prevent too great a concentration in front of 
Hooker and Schofield. Stoneman's cavalry occupied Alla- 




IvoiiEiiT !•'. L;hk, B. 



.\7:ii' no PI: cniRCJi. 



259 



tooiiii I'ass on tliL' :'.r(l, and on tlic 4tli MiiOi.ks cavalrN- 
entered Ackwi'i'tli, driving' (Uit a small ImhIv i>t' the cnciuN-. 
On till' ni^lit of tlu' 4tli -lolmston altandoncd his works 
and It'll liaik towai'ds Marietta. Slicrnian liavinu- accoin- 
plislu'd till' task of turninu' Allatoona Pass, \v;is au'ain in 
possession of tin- I'ailroad line and sontli of tlir Mtowali. 



KXTKACTS KKoM l»l.\l;V. 

May 23. — Army m<)\ inu- with twenty (\\.\\> i;ilion> an<l 
stripped for hattlo. The ai-my is mau'iiitieent and powerful, 
hut my trust is alone in (io(h ()ur eoijts started at noon. 
Moved slowly. Crosseil the Ktowali on a splendid hridge saxed 
by our eavalry. It seems that we are turninu- tlie enemy's 
left. Allatoona Mountains lu-ld hy doe Jolmston's armv are 
not the thiuii- to run sijuari'ly au'ainst. 

May •1\. — Up early. Too little 
sleeji. >rarehed past Barrefs Mills, Mt. 
Zion C'hureh and Stileshoro: ascended 
the mountain hy a rouu'h and olixure 
road. The natives said : ■•• How did you'ns 
ever tind this road?" Camped nt 7 i". .m. 
It raim-d hard at S p. \\. 

May 'I'i. — Marehed at !• a. m. When 
nearinir hallas turned off towards Xew 
Hope ( hnreh. liookiT had tound the 

enemy and tiie<l haid to icneh the interseeting roads at the 
eliureh, l)ut failed. We reaehed position at Ins left after 
(hirk. 

May :2t!. — ()ur division swunu" forward hy jiartial ri^ht 
wheel t(M- }iosition and threw up works. C'ompanv li on 
skirmish line. Lost no men. lielie\ed at ni«;ht hy F and 
II. Skirmi>h firinu' all day. hispateli read, saying Grant 
liad driven Lee across Xorth Anna River. Li tlie rush tor- 
ward this morning Xathan Ilateli. of B, changed into the 




26o 



OPDYCKE 7IGERS, 



Confederate line, and then, seeing he was alone, ran back, 
the "Johnnies" not firing on him, evidently as a mark of 
respect for his bravery. Such tests of chivalry should not 
be sought every day, however. 

May 27. — Beautiful day but for the din ot war. F and 
H relieved before daylight by G and K. Regiment in second 
line with 3rd Kentucky, 65th Ohio and 79th Illinois, Colonel 

Opdyc'ke commanding the 
line. William H. Miller, of 
K, was killed to-day. War- 
ren H. Fishel, of B, was 
wounded. Heavy cannon- 
ading. Sharp musketry at 
times. 125th relieved 64th 
Ohio on picket after dark. 
(Jut posts dug rifle pits. 
Strengthened ])reast works 
at i-eserve. Sharp firing 
abcHit midnight. IleiuT 
Adams, of G, with a detach- 
ment from other regiments, 
s t a r t e d for Ki ngston to 
ln'ing u}) the mail providing 
they are not caught by the 
enemy's cavalry or by bush- 
whackers in tlic mountains." 
May 28. — On picket all day. Hudson Fitch, a bright 
boy, came u[> as a recruit for Company D, and joined on the 
skirmish line. Wonder what he thinks of life at the front 
by to-night. Xo loss in the 125th to-day, owing to good 
pits and watchfulness. Sliai'p firing most of the day, both 
sides ti'ying to hit every moving thing. Towards night rebs 
and our l)oys began talking; agreed to cease firing awhile, 
and then two men of 5th Louisiana came across, exchanged 
tol»acco for t-ofiec, nuule a short visit and returned. At dark 




Wii.i.i.iA.M Dailky. H (is; 



N/'.ll' I/O/'/-: CIll'RCIl. 



\G\ 



I'oliew'd l)y tin- \'1\\A 1 Hindis, aiul wnit Kack tu second run- 
to slccji. 

May I'lt. — Sal»I>atli day, l>ut not oltsci'vcd as siicli, 
IIfa\y <anii(»iiadiiii2: and iniisketry Miiiiii- al<)ii<; tlie lines tor 
twelve lioui's. lL*.")tli in second line all day. 

May :><>. — Relieved ;{rd Kentucky on front line at dav- 
Itreak. Skirmish tiring goes on with an occasional rejtort of 
artillery. Colonel Moore has a copy of tlie At/tfhfn CDUsfl- 
(iiliott, datcti 2>>tli, st'cui'cd hy excliange on the oMti»(»sts. It 
is hra\i' and lii'|ictul in tone hut ((Uifc^-Mv tt-rrihlc losses in 
hattle. All <|uiet at niii'lit ^ 
excei>t a spurt of furious 
iirinir at midnight. 

May :31.— lielieved and 
Went hack to second line at 
<layhrcak and lay (|uietly l)c- 
iund the Works all day. ()ur 
losses tor the month of May 
are as follow s : Ivilled and 
Wounded in hattle. 10". 

liesiu-md — ('apt. Al- 
hert ^'eomans, ( 'apt. .\i[uila 
Ooonrod, ('apt. A. W. ( 'arter. 

.\sst. Surg. .1 oh n K. 
haihy was promoted to Sur- 
geon of the 4i2nil C S. Col. 
1 roojis. 

Died — i'erry Coon, of 
K. at .\ashville. 

hischarged — Joseph Tiitth-. of h: Cori^.-hdm J., ihattv. 
of F, and Sergt. Andrew d. Christy, of (J. 

Transfcrr»Ml to \'eteran Reserve Corjis — Samuel Wise, 
of 1. 

Promotions — Sergts. Kolin I). Barnes and l\ichar<l K. 
Tlulse to Second Lieutenants. On the Itth. First Li«'Ut. j). 




I'lllN hAI.KY, G (IS95). 



262 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



A. Stinger, of E, to Captain of G; First Lieut. William W. 
Gushing, of G, to Captain of I; Second Lieutenants H. jST. 
Steadman, C. C. Chapman and Rolin D. Barnes to First 
Lieutenants ; Sergts. Josiah IL Blackburn, of A, and Thomas 
M. Burnliam, of l>, to Second Lieutenants; Thomas Trimble, 
of F, to Commissar}' Sergeant. 

June 1. — The 125th relieved the 79th Illinois on front 
line at 4 a. m., and in a short time was relieved by the 57th 
Indiana and moved to the left. Extending our lines. 125th 
on left of the division, seven companies supporting a battery 
at iirst line of works. A, F and D back at second line. Balls 
fly in all directions here. Xo place safe but close behind a 
breastwork. 

June 2. — At daybreak A, F and C joined the regiment 
on front line. Both sides try to keep the other from show- 
ing heads or liands above the works. 
The battery moved away at noon. 
Rained from noon until 3 o'clock. 
Five men were wounded to-day, 
viz.: Zalmon F. Morris and William 
H. Watkins, of C, and William H. 
France, Edmond Swett and John 
Swett, of Iv. Heavy tiring off to 
the left in the evening. We are 
evidently working over towards the 
railroad. 

June 8. — Still on the front line 
j!,u... GEN. danikl mcom.k. .^^^j g|^^ ,^.^ ^,j ratious. Our lines are 

stretched out to hold works while other troops move towards 
the railroad. The enemy hang on well, but " Uncle Billy '' 
Sherman will tiank them out sure. The enemy charged and 
carried some skirmish i)its of our brigade in the afternoon, 
and were expelled by a counter charge. Lieutenant Colonel 
Swain, 42nd Illinois, was wounded. Rain showers make the 
[tosition unconit'oi'tabie. 




.v/':ir HOPE ciiri<cn. 



263 



.liiiic 4. — Relieved at (laylii-cak liv Iniiih lUin,,!.- ainl 
'.•Ttli ()liit), of WaiiMK-r's hriuadt.'. Our hriuadu moved tartlier 
to k'tt, whore 12.")tli was in rear liiu-. Rainy weatlier and 
Very nmddy. At dai'k the lJ.')tli went on jiickct lini'. 

.Iiine-"». — At daylii^lit mil' skirmish line diseo\ered the 
enemy's works empty, and the reuimeiit advanced, passed 
the works, found a ivw eavalrymen. drove them away and 
halted in an or<-hai'(h t'orminii' a new picket line, the ri'ti'iment 
deidoyinn" in a loni^ skirmish line. It is tli<uiuht the eneniv 
luive retreated heyond the ("hatfahnii- 
chee. At niij^ht wc were rtdieved l)y the 
4L!nd Illiintis ami went hack to the works 
to sleep. 

June »I. — .Marched at ti \. m. ; u'cn- 
eral directitui I'ast hut at all anii'les. Halted 
ah(uit three miles from Atkworth. Hot 
and (histy. Rejiorted that wc will i-cst here 
several days. l'rol)ahly t<> repaii' railway 
and i::et up supplies for the ne.xt move. 
The enemy have not <i"one tar. Captain 
Whitesides (servinij; on Newton's statt") captured a (V)nted- 
orate Hai^ to-day tr<>m on«' <d' Wln-eler's cavah'vnien. a paitv 
of whom liui;-ercd ton huiu' and were cut utf hv our adxanee. 

dune?. — C'<»lonel llarkei' ret-eived his commission as 
Briijadier, t<t raidv from Sej»temher ^O, ISO:], second (hiv at 
C'hickamauLi:i. 'I'lu' recoi>;nit ion came late, and has \\vv\\ 
earn»'d auaiu and aii'ain. Mail came up. A i^em-ral clean- 
up to day. dolin Warman. of l'\ promoted to Color Ser- 
geant. 

June S. — Inspt'ction thi> morninii- liy Major l>rufl'. An 
order from General Shcrnnin read I'clatinir to >trai:';lini:-. 
(^)uartermaster Carter havini; resi^-ned, left for home. :ind 
Lieut. Nyrum I'hillips ai>pointc(l (^)uarternui^ter. 

dune 1>. — l*re[iarinii- to move. Sick men sent to hospital. 
Some eonvalescents came up: annmt; others James R. hiek- 




AMI I 1 !• KNN, IS I C 



264 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



son, J. S. Blim and Sylvanus Baker, of A. The 22nd Illinois 
goes home to-morrow. The 24th Wisconsin band serenaded 
General Harker this evening. Marching orders for to- 
morrow. 

PINE MOUNTAIN. 

When General Johnston evacuated the lines at ^ew 
Hope Church, the Army of the Cumberland moved to the 
left of Scholield, and the Army of the Tennessee still farther 
to the left, to the vicinity of Ackworth. General Blair, with 
two divisions of his corps, joined at Ackworth. General 
Sherman, in his official report, described the country and 
enemy's lines on his front as follows: 

" Kenesaw, the bold and ^trikinjr twin mountain, lay before us, with 
a hitih range of chestnut hilliJ trending off to the northeast, terminating to 

i)ur view in anotlier peak called Brush Moun- 
tain. To our right was a smaller hill, called 
Pine Mountain, and bej'ond it in the distance 
Lost Mountain. All these, though linked in 
a continuous chain, present a sharp, conical 
ai)i)earance, prominent in the vast landscape 
tliat presents itself from any of the hills that 
abound in that region. Kenesaw, Pine 
^lountain and Lost INIountain form a triangle, 
Pino ^Mountain tlie a|)ex and Kenesaw and 
Lost Mountain the base, covering perfectly 
the town of Marietta and the railroad back to 
the Chattahoochee. On each of these peaks 
the enemy had his signal station, the sum- 
mits were crowned with batteries, and the 
spurs were alive with men busy in felling 
trees, digging pits, and preparing for the 
grand struggle inii)eni!ing. The scene was enchanting; too beautiful to be 
disturbed by the harsii clanidiof war: but the Chattahoochee lay beyond 
and I had to reach it. On aiii)roaching close to the enemy I found him 
occupying a line full twelve miles long, more than he could hold with his 
force. General IMcPherson was ordered to move towards Marietta, his 
right on the railroad ; General Thomas on Kenesaw and Pine Mountain 
and General Schotield off towards Lost ]\Iountain ; General Garrard's cav- 
alry on the left and (ieneral Stoneman on the right, and General McCook 
looking to our rcni' and coniinunications." 




l.ir.i'T. T. M. I'.ri:MiA:M. 



i/)r.i.\c/X(;. 



265 



Tlio jnlvaiHc \v:ts icsimu'tl on .lunc Id. M.| 'Iutsoiis 
coniniaiul tnmnl tin- fiit'iny's skiniii>liri- one mile >i'iitli«>t' 
13ig Sliaiity -tatii'ii and di'iivc tliciii lia«k to their main line 
of works, wliicli rr.i--e<l the Marietta road two and one-halt" 
miles tVoin Hiu- Shanty. (Jeinfal 'rhoma> sent I'aliners's 
<.'of|>s, Bairds di\isi()ii leadinu", on a i<tad runninii' smiOu-ast 
l»y Owens' houso : llowai-d's eof|i>. Stanh'y's division lead- 
inii". on tlie road from IJnrnt lliekor\ to Marietta Hooker 
followed Howard. I5aird an<l Staidry foreed the enemy'> 
skirmishers hack to the\it-inity of Tine Monntain. Seho- 
tield adxanei'd on tin- Samltow n road. 

On the llth the lines weiH- reetitied init no advance 
iiiacK'. 

No movements oeciirred on the lilth <•!• l^Uh. eontinuoiis 
rains interfcrinu; with opurations. 'IMie lL'.')tli \va> on picket 
the niiidit of the l^'th. 

( »n the 14th l»aird"s division, on the 
riiiht of the Fourteenth (\>r]>s, advanced, 
skirmishinii" lieavily. and l>y nii^ht was in 
clo!*e contact with tlu' enemy's main line 
east of Pine Mountain. Kidlowin^ that 
movement tin- Fourth ("orps wheeled on 
the riu'ht di\isio!i as a pivot, the left winu 
swiniriiiir t-lose up to the east end of I'iiie 
Mountain. Our reiriiuent di<l skirmish 
duty durinu- the nn.veinent. with two Lt.gkn. L. r..i.K.c.s. a. 
companies deployed, the rest as reserve. r/ieut«iiaiit Taviie. 
of Company I, was amoiii; the woundtMJ. r.icut.CJcn. i.,eoni- 
(las Folk, of the ConfeiKTate army, wa- kilhd hv a shell 
while oi)servinii' the moxt'inciits t'rom the toji ot Fine Moun- 
tain. The eiH-niy withdrew from Fiiu' Mountain in the 
niirht. 1; was then seen that the enemy's main line was 
some distance south of Fine Mountain, inferior wdrk> cou- 
nectiuic with those (Ui Fine Mt»untain. The latter were 
o ceupied hy skirmishers. Orders were i>-ued lor a Lreneral 




266 



OPDYCKE TIGERS. 



advance on the afternoon of June 15. Hooker, pushing for- 
ward on the right of Pine Mountain, carried the outlying 
works on his front and then sent Geary's division to try the 
main line. Geary was repulsed, his loss for the day heing 
519, but his men held a position close up to the works. The 
Fourth Corps advanced at the same time with the Twentieth, 
IS'ewton's division leading. Colonel Bradley, of our brigade, 
commanding the skirmish line, consisting of the 42nd and 
51st Illinois and 3rd Kentucky, captured two strong lines of 
rifle pits and drove the enemy's skirmishers into their main 
works, sustaining a loss of 45 killed and wounded. Stanley 
came up on Newton's right, his skir- 
mishers connecting with Hooker, and a 
l)rigade of Baii'd's division came up on 
Newton's left. The country was rough 
and rolling and covered with dense wood 
and underbrush. Schofield, on the right 
(if the Twentieth Corps, also advanced, 
tinding the country less difflcult and 
meeting sliglit resistance, the enemy's 
advance parties falling back to tlieir main 
j„HN Mnn-HY. c (18'jo). Y\^-^Q jjpj^^. Qiigal Churcli. On the same 

date McPherson sent Harrow's division of Logan's corps 
to the left to assault the right flank of tlie enemy's line. 
Walcutt's brigade advanced under a heavy Are, waded 
Noonday Creek, scrambled up the steep banks and charged 
up the slope, driving the enemy from his works, taking 
about four hundred prisoners, and sustaining a loss of 63 in 
killed and wounded. 

The enemy occupied an almost east and west line along 
the watershed that divides the streams flowing north to the 
Etowah from those flowing south to the Chattahoochee. 
From Gilgal Church to Lost Mountain their line was held 
by cavalry. 




MORii ricirnxc. 



267 



( >ii till' llitli Schofu'ld |M-fss('<| l<)r\\:ii'<l <>ii tin- I'lLllit. 
Ilookor ii'aiiKMl gi'Dinitl also, ami Xfwtoii ami StaiiU-v rai ried 
a I'idici' on tlicir tVttiit. ("ajitain Siiminson, (ii'iuTal Stanley's 
C'li'u't' of Artilk'iy, was killed wliilr cstahlisliing a liattt-ry on 
tilt' m-w lim-. 

Mri>l«Y CIM'.l'.K. 

Ill the niii'lit of tlu' I'itli .I<tliii>toii contracted lii> lino 
liy drawinu- hack his loft winii'. 

Karly on the 17th tlie Fourth, 'rwentieth and Twenty- 
third Corjis were in motion, Scliotield and Hooker advaneini^ 
se\t-ral miles south and east until they ai:"ain taced the 
enemy across Muddy Creek, while Wood's division of the 
F(»ui-th Cori)S relieved Stanleys on the front line, advaneed 
south and tlien east. Xewton's division followed Wood's, 
advancinii' about 4i)(.t yards and then went into jiosition on 
the left of Wood. J^ate in the day the 
skirmish line, ecuisistinu" of the l»7th Ohio | 
and J8tli Kentucky, of Wauiier's l>riu-- j 
ade, and tlie siHh Illinois, of (in»son's 
V)riii"ade, ehai'ged across an open tield and 
carried a line of ritle pits, whi<h they 
held during' thi' niii'ht. the enemy making' 
two attemjits to retake them. Newtim's 
skirmish \\\\v faced the anule where 
• loimston's new line of wiu'ks kdt the old 
line, just beyond Muddy Creek, and the i.min \\ ko... u. 

em-my held a part of the (dd line in ticuit ot" the an^le. 

At -1 A. M. ot' the ISth. Wairner's skirmish line 
was relieved by the iKOth lHinoi>. :2<itli (Miio niid ')7tli 
Indiana, Ccdoiiel Bartleson commandiiitr the line. At S 
A. .M. the skirmishers were oi-dered to chari(e, and the 
entire division advanced in su]>iiort. Tlie three reirinients 
named waded Muddy Creek inuh-r tire, cajituri d the enemv's 
skirmish ]iits. and then with a se<-ond rush expelled their 




268 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



picket reserve from tlie outlying work and held it. Harker 
«ent the 3rd Kentucky to Bartleson's left to connect with 
Baird, who was swinging forward on the other side of the 
angle, and General Newton promptly advanced the entire 
•division to the ridge within about 300 feet of the enemy's 
main line. The position was held by detailing the best 
marksmen in each company to send a constant stream of 
bullets over the enemy's works and into the embrasures, tlius 
preventing an efiective return tire of artillery or musketry. 
■Six batteries of artillery were brought forward and did their 
part in keeping the enemy quiet behind his works. At noon 
Bartleson Avas relieved on the skirmish line b}' the 64th 
Ohio, 42(1 and 79th Illinois of our brigade. The casualties 

for the day in the six skirmish regi- 
ments were heavy, but comparatively 
light in the others, the loss in the 
125th Ohio being two killed and 
eight wounded. Those killed were 
Sei'gt. James Wetzel, of K, and John 
Vanhoof, of E. Mark Shields, of 
C; William O.Major, of G; and 
Henry Green, of D, were among 
the wounded. Green's wound was 
fatal. Shields was struck in the face 
and lost several teeth, Tlie names 
coKP. CHARKs w.u^NKii, A (i.s9,3). ^^f ^jjg othcrs arc not known to the 

writer. Johnston's line was likely to be broken at the 
center by Baird and ISTewton, while Schotield turned his left, 
and during the night lie withdrew his entire army tt) a new 
position about two miles nearer to Marietta. 

ADVANCE TO KENESAW. 




The center of Johnston's new line was on Kenesaw 
Mountain. Hood's corps was on the right, north of 



l/)r.l\C7-: TO KIXISAW 



2Gi) 



Maru'tt:i. aiitl I l:iiilff"> mi tin- Ict't. liis iVdiit (•(.\-imt(| hy 
Xdsrs Croi'k. 

It took sc\oriil (lavs t"i>i- our tr(»o|i> to diixt' I lie ciit'iiiy 
tVoiii ailvaiuT'l |>ositioiis, and ilcvflop tln'ir iii:iiii lines. I»y 
niu-lit ol the lUtli tilt' Koiirili (''iips was on Xosrs ('reck; 
Stanley's division on tlu- diii-cl roa<l iVoin (Jiluai ("liiirdi to 
Marietta ; Newton's division t»n Stanit y's Ictl. and one Kriu'- 
ade of Wood's on Siaidry's rii:"lit. tlic otlicr two in reserve. 

The Kolirteentll ("ol-ps was on the lel't of llie Foil rl 1 1 , eon- 

neetinu' with the Army of the Tenni'ssee. 
The Twentieth Corps was mi the ri^flit of 
the I''onrth and across Xoses Creek. The 
Twenty-third ("orjis was still furtlu-r to 
the right, wIumc the Saiidtown road 
erosse.s Nosi's Cri'ek. Tln' advance wa> 
altt-ndcd with >evci'e skirmishiiiL;', the 
losses lor the day in the Fourth Corps 
heiui; alioiii one hundred, aiuonu' the 
nuniln-r, Lieut. Freeman Collins, ol mir 
ren'iment. who was killed Itv a shell frmn Manmn., f..i;. k, 

. ■ ISrcvt'i .Miijiir UciuTiiI. 

the enemy s w ()rk>. 

( )n the iloth .M( I 'herson's troops made a decided for- 
ward movement. ( )n the e.\t feme left of thearmx Manning- 
Forces hriuade, of J^ei,f«i-ett's di\ision, carrii-d a hill and ren- 
dered aid t<» ( Jarrarii's cavalry, the lattt'r heinu- hotlv eno^ai^cd 
hy Whei'ler's ca\alry. Louan's ('(U'ps and one division of 
l)odife*s worked closi' up to tin- toot of Kenesaw. In the 
Army of the Cundterlaml, I'aliner's Corjis worked up close 
to tin- southern spurs of the Mountain. Howard sent one 
hriuinU' of Stanley's division ;iiid two hriii'ades ot' Wood's 
divisitui to relieve William's divisitui, of ||o(d<er'> ( 'orps, 
ne.xt on the ritrht of Howard and Williams moved to the 
right and extended the line (d' his own corps to the south. 
Stanley advanced hisother hrigades, Whitaker's and K'irhy's, 
across Noses Creid<, each of them carrvini: hills within lOO 




270 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



yards of the enemy's works, Whitaker holdiug Ins position 
against repeated counter attacks, wliile Kirby was driven 
ott' before liis troops bad time to construct works. Wbit- 
aker's skirmisli line was commanded by Lieut. Col. James 
Watson, 40tb Obio, wbo, witb a part of bis command, was 
captured in one of tbe tierce attacks made by tbe enemy 
after dark. Wbitaker reported tbat in two instances coming 
under bis ol)servation, tbe l)ayonets of tbe National and 
Confederate soldiers were found in eacb otbers body, proof 
positive of a desperate conflict. 

Our division spent tlu' day building works. About 40 
pieces of artillery joined in tbe bombardment tbat preceded 
tbe cbarge by Wbitaker and Kirby. Tbe loss in tbose two 

brigades was over tbree bundred. 
One negro servant in tbe 125tb and 
two men were wounded wliile work- 
ing on tbe intrencbments, clz.: 
James R. Dickson, of A, and Wesley 
C. Fisbel, ot B. 

Scbofleld's corps was two miles 
from Hooker's rigbt, at tbe point 
wbere tlie Sandtown road crosses 
jS^oses Creek, and Cameron's brigade 
of Cox's division forced a crossing, 
tbe 104tb (^bio doing good work on 
tbe skirmisli line. In front of 
Hooker's corps tbe enemy's main lines Avere several bundred 
yards distant. 

On tbe 21st, a division of Palmer's cor[)s relieved iSTew- 
ton's division of Howard's corps, and we moved to tbe right 
of Wood's dixision and relieved tbe left division of Hooker's 
corps wbicli, in turn, moved fartber to tbe rigbt. About noon 
tbe artillery of Stanley and Wood's divisions opened, and 
fifteen miuates later Kirby's brigade of Stanley's division 
and' two' reiiiuK'nts from tbe left of Wood's division, lotb 




Wesley c. Fisiiei., B (IWiO). 



.I/)I'.I.V(7-: TO KEMS.IW 



271 



jiiid H'tli ( )irK>, clinri^tMl Mini ciiirictl the liill fioiii wliidi KirKy 
had Im'C'Ii e.\|K'lK'(l <»ii iIk- 'JOth. Wixur-. ii'i^iiiiciits ;i»1\;iiic(.m1 
still f:ii-tlnT jiiid cxiit'llt'd tlic ciH'iiiys skinnislii-rs from :i lino 
<>t" lillr pits, when imtli Wcind aiid Xi\vti>ii advaiu'fd tlifir 
main lim-s altoiit 4<>o y;ird> and at once (Iiitu u|i works. 
J^ioss ill the Foiirtli ("orps. •_*.")<•. In IJotli, two srvi'rrly and 
tour sli«;litly\V(»iindi'd, William 11. Lcf. of B.was shot tlinmi^li 
the Iri:;. Tin' nanu's of tlu' otlu-rs woiimlcil that datr arr not 
known to the writi'r. ( >n the I'i^-lit tlank ('o.\"s division 
«*rossrd ^ osi's C'ri'i'k. 

In the nii:'ht of the lilst .lolm-ion wit hdiiw Hood's corits 
iVom his \-\)i\\\ tlank and sent it to his Icl'i tlank. Hood I'oriiifd 
m-ar Zion C'hiinh, nm.- milo east ol' C'lilp's laini. 

On tln' moriiinii- ot" the "Jliiid. Sfholjfld sent llastairs 
division to foi'iii on tiie riulit of llookrr. mar ('nip's. At tiie 
same time, liookt-r advaneed his 
ri«;ht division (Williams") to the 
vieiiiity of C'nlp's: Geary's division, 
on Williams' Id't, also advanced. 
From prisoners taki-n in thr ail- 
vaiiee, it was learned that Hood's 
eorps was o'n their front. lu-tweeii 
8 and 4 I'. \l. II 1 made a deter- 
mined attaek, histiiiu- until dark, 
and was repnlse<l, losiiiir ahi>nt one 
thousand men. the rnioii loss hein^'' 
less than threi' hiindri'd. I'ntter- 
tield's division, on the h-ft of Hook- 
er's corps, a«lvaneed with (ieary ami the movi-mi-nt was taken 
uji hy onr division, whieh nnnle a partial wheel to the h-ft to 
maintain i-oniu'etion with Uuttertield. The skirmish line, 
'.♦7th Ohio, Lieut. C'ol. Milton Barnes, eonimandiniLr, I<»st 11 
men killed, and 7 otlieeis and s<> men wouinh-d. Loss in the 
Fourth Corps, ahont •J.')^. In the l-Joih. 1-aae Wilson, of A, 




W II I I vM 11 *oin , I 



272 



OPDYCKR TIGERS, 



and William C. Slieets, of I, were fatally wouiuled, and John 
Hardnian, of K, wounded. 

The 125t:li was in the second line all day. Hooker's 
movement had l)een divergent and the presence of Hood'& 
corps on his tVont led to further changes in the lines. A 
division of the Fourteenth Corps was relieved by a division 
from the Army of the Tennessee and, moving to the rights 
relieved Stanley's division, then on the left of the Fourth 
Corps, Stanley moving to the right of jSTewton and relieving 
Butteriield's division, the latter moving to rejoin Hooker. 
All these movements were effected in the night. 

It was dou))ted whether or not the intrenched height in 
front of Xewton's and Stanley's divisions was a portion of his 
main line, and, l)y (general Thomas' direction. General How- 
ar<l ordei'cd another advance on the 23d. At 4:30 p. m. all 

of the artillery that could be placed 
in [»osition to bear on the hill opened 
and maintained a rapid fire for fif- 
teen minutes, when the skirmish line, 
tlie 57th Indiana, supported by the 
125th Ohio, dashed forward, and 
after a stubborn fight, secured a 
lodgment on the hill, at some points 
ca|)turing the enemy's skirmish line 
of rifle pits, but found the enemy's 
works to l)e well constructed, cov- 
ered by an abattis, and held in force. 
Colonel Bartleson, 100th Illinois, was 
in command of our lines, and was killed at the bginning of 
the fight. Comitanies B, E and K, of the 125th, were 
deployed as skirmishers, and went forward with the 57tli 
Indiana; the other companies acted as supports to the line. 
Capt. Sterling Manchester, of K ; Robert F. Rice and ISTathan 
B. Hatch, of B, were killed, and fourteen men wounded. 
Among the wounded were Lieut. Henry A. Donaldson, 




Cai'T. Si|-,i;j,ini. M am iii>i 1:1;. 




r.ll,. I»AVIT> Tl M<H»UK. 



BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN. 



273 



Kiiicry (iiliiioi^-, of 1> : .lolni Muriili}', ot (": .I;i((»l» Wvlik-, 
of E; Dryden Ferguson, of G; Benj. J. Kill)urii, of K, ami 
Christian Xt-wcointM-, of F. Wyhio and PY'i-gusdn died from 
their wounds. The total l(»ss in the Fourth Corps on that 
date was :275>. 



r.ATTLK OF ki:ni:saw .mo I XT a in. 

ITavinif worked close ui> t<> the enemy's intrenehod line, 
(icMU'ral Sherman found it nci-essary either to assault the 
works or i-esort to aiiotlu-r Hank m()\'emfnt. lie decided to 
try for the works. A successful assault would have been an 
irretrievable disaster for the enemy, and tliere was, doubtless, 
good reason for thinking Johnston's lines too long to be well 
guarded at all points, but the assaulting 
troops tailed to tind weak }»laccs. 

The orders for June 27 re(piirc(l 
assaults tVoni the right of McPherson's 
command and from the right of the 
Fourth Corps' line, the nuiin attacks to 
l)e supportt'd by a general advance all 
ahuig the liiu's, the latter to stoji short 
of actiuil assault unless weak spots wei-c 
found in the enemy's lines. 

By Mcriierson's orders Logan di- 
rected General Harrow to assault with Walcutt's brigade of 
his own division and the brigades of (4iles A. Smith and 
J. A. Lightlnirn of M. L. Smith's division. 

By direction of General Thomas, Howard designated 
Newton's division of the Fourth Cor]>s, and J'almer selected 
Davis' division of the Fourteenth Corps to form assaulting 
columns. The assaults were all made at the same liour. We 
mention those b}* other troops briefly, and descril)e the work 
of our own brigade more in detail. 

Harrow's assault was on Little KiMu-saw. Walcutt's 
brigade on the left was opjiosite the gorge between Great 




Kmi'Kv Gn.Mui:i:. H. 



274 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Kenesaw and the smaller hill ; Giles A. Smith's brigade in 
the center, and Lightburn on the right, the formation being 
in two lines of battle covered by skirmishers. The ground 
between the lines was rough, heavily timbered, covered with 
underbrush, and at some places marshy. Two lines of 
skirmish pits were passed and part of their occupants cap- 
tured before reaching more open ground in front of the main 
works, but the latter were found to be too strong and too 
well guarded to give the sliglitest hope of success, though the 
troops made heroic efforts and suffered 
heavy losses, and were then retired to 
tlie line of skirmish pits taken from the 
enemy, which the}' strengthened and 
held. Col. A. V. Rice, 57th Ohio, was 
among the number seriously wounded. 

Davis' division assaulted a short dis- 
tance to the right of ]S'ewton, ironi the 
front of Whitaker's brigade of Stanley's 
division. Davis moved in the night to 
ja(oh wyblk, E. ^ije ^.g.jp of ytanloy's line, and early in 

the mornins: sent Morgan's brii>ade to relieve Whitaker's 
in the works, while the brigades of Dan McCook and John 
G. Mitchell formed to assault. 

Mitchell's brigade was on the right in a column of regi- 
ments, the 113th Ohio in front, next the 121st Ohio; third^ 
the 08th Ohio; and fourth, the 78th Illinois, while the 34th 
Illinois did the skirmish work. McCook's brigade also 
formed in column, and with a regimental front, the 125th 
Illinois leading, followed by the 8t)th Illinois, 22nd Indiana 
and 52nd Ohio, while the 85th Illinois acted as skirmishers. 
They went forward at the same time with Newton's division^ 
over rough and rocky ground, partly covered with timber 
and underbrush, crossing a small run with marshy banks^ 
subjected to a heavy tire of artillery and musketry from the 




BATTLE OF K EN FSAW MOUNTAIN. 



275 



start, till.' ilistaiuH- Ix-iiii;- alxMit (iOO yards, ami wlu'ii ilicv 
roaclicMl till' works ucrc ton niiicli hlowii to makr the tiiial 
struggle up tlie slo[»e. J5y that time tlieii* ranks were hi-iiig 
(lecinuiti'd ])y tlie enemy's tire at short range tVom the trout 
and tlaidvs. McCook IV'II and was succeeded by Colonel 
Ilai'nion, ot'tlic li*">tli Illinois, who also rcil a nionirnt later. 
Within a lew minutes half a humlred otlieers and scn eral 
hundred men hit tlu' (hist, and it was evident the works were 
too strongly held to nuike sui-eess possible. The men fell 
baek a few yards, seeking positions that ati'orded i>artial 
•slielter from the storm of eannister and minie balls, and 
while part of them kept up a return tire to prevent a eounter- 
eharge. the rest tliiTw u|i a slight breastwork which enaliK'(l 
them to hold the ground until night. During the night the 
works were made strong, and Davi-^ held them until the 
enemy evacuated, a week later. 

Newton's division assaulted from the front of Grose's 
brigade of Stanley's di\ision, a short distance to the left of 
Davis; llarker's brigade was on the right, in two columns, 
the right column iieing one regiment 
(51st Illionis) in close column (»f divisions 
left in front, the left e<dumn couqtosed 
of all the other regiments in close column 
of divisions right in front. The ;b'(l J\en- 
tui-ky was at the head, followed by tin- 
27th Illinois, Goth Ohio, (Uth Ohio, 7!»th 
Illinois, and 42nd Illinois, in the ordiu- 
mentioned. Wagner's brigade formed at 
the left of llarker's in one close column 
of divisions. Kind)air8 brigade had the 
same formation to the left and a little 
to the rear of Wagner, its duty being to guard that Hank 
and act as support if needed. Staidey and Wood each 
sent two brigades to follow the movement and act as circum- 
stances required. 




G. STANI.KY PoI'K. 

Soru't. Major, iV'Stli o. V. I. 



276 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Colonel Opdycke, then commanding a demi-brigade, 
was on duty as Division Officer of the Day, and was directed 
to organize and lead a line to precede and clear the way for 
the storming column up to the works. He chose his own 
regiment to precede Barker's brigade, and the 57tli Indiana 
was designated to precede Wagner. The duty devolved 
upon those two regiments was the highest possible test of 
heroism and discipline. When the dreadful ordeal had 
passed, we of the 125th found some slight consolation for 
the loss of comrades in tlie fact that every officer and man, 
without exception so far as known had performed his whole 
duty. 

The troops were aroused at 3 a. m. and ordered to get 
breakfast. Just before daybreak the 125th, in light marching 
order, moved to the right, halting be- 
tween the front line of works and skir- 
mish rifle pits held by Grose's brigade, 
formed in column of companies and closed 
in mass. The order for the assault was 
there disclosed to the men, who were in- 
formed that the 125th was to precede the 
brigade, kill or capture the men holding 
the enemy's skirmish pits, push on up to 
the main works and enter them with 
the head of the assaulting column ; if the 
assault failed to fall back slowly, covering 
the retreat. Before the details of the movement could be 
fully explained the rising sun dispelled the fog partially and 
disclosed the position of the regiment to the enemy's skir- 
mishers, who opened fire. Lieutenant Colonel Moore ordered 
deployment into line and advance to Grose's rifie pits. 
Lieut. E. r. Evans, of D, was mortally wounded while mak- 
ing that movement. Grose's men in the rifle pits were full of 
curiosity as to the purpose of the visit. When informed they 
became Job's comforters, freely expressing the opinion that 




John W. Fui.i.er, 
Brevet Major (ieiieral. 



BATT/.E ()/■' KF.XF.S.lll .\/OLAJ.U,\ 



^11 



IK) triKips could ci-oss tlir interval ln.'tweeii tlic liiiep. The 
otHt'cr's call soihkUmI and tlic otHcers assemhled tor final 
instructions. Major Brntt" waf* to have sjtocial chari^c of" the 
riu'ht \vin<r. Colonel Moore jjoinu' t'orwaid with the h-tt winir. 
The men were not to lire until they reaelied tlie enemy's ritie 
])its. The assaulting column was then forming near the 
main line of works. In front of the 125th was an open field 
descemling for about KM) yards to the bottom of" a ravine, on 
the other side of which was the timlx'red slujie of the ridge 
held by the enemy. Their skirmish line was in a rifle trench 
part way u[> the slojie, their main line in strong works upon 
the crest of the ridge. From the skir- 
mish line up to tlu' main works the 
ground was avcII c<»\ered with under- 
brush. In front of their main line was a 
strong abattis, constructed by felling tim- 
l)er, an<l where the felled trees were too 
far ajiart, conneeting them by logs, 
tlirough which holes weri' bored and 
stakes inserted, the sharpened [loints pro- 
jecting at all angles, the whole securely 
iiiti-rlaced ami bound tog»'ther. The ex- 
istence of the abattis was not discovered until our regiment 
reached the rifle trench. Tiie assault was ordered for S a. m. 
but it was an hour later when the signal gun was fired and 
our buglers sounded tin- advance. 

The enemy opened fire instantly when the line started 
forward. The (»pen field was passed (|uickly and on enter- 
ing the ravine the enemy's fire was harmless tor a minute, 
but without halting the line swept on up the slope, eatcliing 
al)0ut one more round from their skirmishers who liad not 
time to load for a second round before our boys were jumj)- 
ing over tlu' barricades. ''Don't shoot, wi' surrender," they 
shouted. They were ordered to the rear and neeiled no 
urging, for captor and captive were both subjected to a lieavy 




H.MtvKV \V. Lamb. ('. 



278 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



fire of artillery and musketry from tlieir main works, and 
while the prisoners tied down the ravine, their captors 
pressed upward until arrested by the abattis, when they 
threw themselves on the ground and commenced tiring. The 
assaulting column was already coming up from the ravine, 
and as soon as seen b}^ the enemy was subjected to a tornado 
of cannister and minie balls, the enemy concentrating their 
fire on the head of column, but the impetus given by 
successive lines soon brought it forward to the abattis. 
Stopped 1)y tliat impenetrable barrier the men at the head of 
the column also threw themselves upon 
the ground, succeeding lines breaking out 
to the riglit and left, men seeking shelter 
and opportunity to return the enemy's 
tire. General Harker was then at Grose's 
riile pits, and learning that his head of 
column was checked and broken he rode 
forward, calling to the men to press on, 
break through the abattis and scale 
the works. As he progressed a new 
impetus was imparted to the column, 
and officers and men surged forward. 
Harker reached the front line at the position of our Company 
I, and then horse and rider fell, the horse killed and Harker 
mortally wounded. The renewed ettbrt increased losses but 
would have failed had Harker escaped. Opdycke and others 
did all that was possible to insure success, but the case was 
ho])eless. In that renewed ettbrt inspired by Harker one 
battle flag, that of the 27th Illinois, reached the works and 
floated there for a few seconds. Our Lieutenants Dilley and 
Burnhan fell at that time. The abattis could be passed only 
at a few places and the few men who survived the ettbrt to 
pass could not ettect a lodgment in or on the works. Nearly 
the entire brigade was by this time tiring steadily but could 
not reduce the volume of iron and lead coniina-from the well- 




iibur.). 



BATTLE OT KTM.SAll' MOL\'JA/\. 



279 



jtrotected foe. Very soon an order eanie forward for the 
column to fall baek to Grose's works. The l'2oth followed 
as far as the cajitnred ritle pits and held them until relievi-d 
Ijy fresh troops half an h(mr hitei-. 

The 12r)th went in that morniuir with "JflO riHes, hut 
little more than half oui' number when the eami>aign opened, 
and lost in the assault, :'> otliet-rs mortally wounde<l, 8 ottieers 
wounde<l, 14 men killcil and mortally wounded and o'l men 





.-AMI Kl. n. Ul)«KI.I,N. K (IMIJ). 



■^KlIi.T. .I.VI'iU .lK«l.l.l.. V (IMiJ). 



W(unided ; total -JS. The 51 at, 27th and 42nd I Hindis ami ^h'd 
Kentueky eaeh lost from forty to tifty. The losses in the TlUh 
Illinois, and «I4th and )!oth Ohio, were somewhat liirhter than 
in the other regiments. Col. 11. N. Whitheek, of tiie »)5th 
Ohio, was hadly wounded. Wa^fner's hriirade adxaneed 
the same time as ours, met a like destructive tin', concen- 
trated on the narr(»w front [U'esented hy the head ot coluiun, 



28o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



and like ours was checked at the abattis, and soon after was 
ordered to fall back to the ravine, when the regiments 
deployed and opened fire. Opd_ycke thought, and so report- 
ed, that Kimball's brigade if then rushed to the front might 
efi'ect an entrance, and Kimball was ordered to oblique to 
the right, pass through Wagner's line and renew the assault 
at that point, Kimball's leading regiment, the 74tli Illinois, 
Lieutenant Colonel Kerr, commanding, deployed while 
advancing and rushed on, closely followed by the other regi- 
ments, Wagner's regiments 
also advancing, all making 
an heroic eflbrt to reach the 
works, but could not do so. 
Lieutenant Colonel Kerr 
was mortally wounded when 
close up to the works, and 
was captured, a number of 
his men meeting a like fate. 
By that time the order 
to retire was received. The 
losses in Wagner's and Kim- 
ball's brigades, respectively, 
were about the same as in 
Harker's. Colonel Miller, 
36th Illinois, was mortally 
wounded ; Lieutenant Colo- 
nel Chandler, 88th Illinois, 
was killed; Major Peat- 
man, 26th Ohio, wounded — a heavy loss of regimental com- 
manders. 

General Marker antici})ated a desperate struggle. Just 
before the signal to advance was given he handed his money 
and some trinkets to Capt. E. G. Whitesides (of 125th) a 
member of his stafi', and gave the Captain instructions to be 
carried out if the General fell. When Harker started to the 




Cai'T. KnwAnn G. Whitesidks (1S95). 



BATTLi-: OF Ki:M:SAw .\for.\r.\i.\ 



;8i 



front 111' <»r(U'rt'il Whitt's'uk's to r«'iii:iiii :it tin- ritic pits until 
till' 4L'n(l Illinois, last in tlio column, had passi'd. lie prolt- 
al»ly intriiilfil to kcrji tin- ("aiitain out of the i-xti'i'ini.' pfiil 
lif \va> liinisi'lf aliout to face, l»ut liis kind intentions failrd. 
Till' \'1\\<\ passi'd the wofks (juickly and rushed to the tVont, 
and Whitesidi's hastem-tl on to rrjoin tin* (Jenefal, fearhiuif 
the front in the midst of the ;>d Kmtinky niciuand i-cccivt'd 
a hall in his rii::lit thiirh at tin- sanu- moment, lie dis- 
mounti-d and found the limh was not hroken. Coloni-I nun- 
lap uriifd him to get away at om-e and he trii'd to n-niount, 
hut while in the aet his horse was shot and fell dead, throwing 
the Captain tc> the ground. Dunlai* then ordered two men 
to earry him to the rear, whein-e lie w:i< taken in rut amhu- 
lanre to thr hospital and 
jilafed on a eot next to tin.- 
one ociupied l>y Ilarker. 
The latter said : " Is that 
you. my di-ar hoy ?" 

(iiiii'i-al Ilarker exjtired 
at 1 I'. M. (ii'nerals Staidry 
and Wood and tither frieinls 
witnessed his death, and all 
were moved to tears hy thr 
sad event. Col. Lutlur V. 
Bradley, 51st Illinois, su<- 
eeeded llarkrr in fommand 
of the Third l»rigade. 

Till- list of easualties in 
the 125th, as near as it can 
he given now, was as fol- 
lows : 

Killed — Lieut. Alson ('. 
Pilley; Adrian P'iteh, of Ji 
Irwin, of G; Miehael Klliott, Djivid li. Goodwill, James L. 
Lownian, (iottleih Sehultz ami Charles Wdliams, of II ; 
Si-rg. William (J.Wi-imer and Scpiirc K. 1-Mward>. of I. 




IlKl'.. I. IN. < ii.vi:l.t> li. IIakkkk 



Ntuinan Ciihson, of ?^ : John 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Mortally \v(nni(led — Lieut. Ephriam P. Evans (died 
July 8); Lieut. Thomas M. Burnham (died July 13); Asa 
Hagar, of B, (died July 13) ; Sylvester Waterman, of C, (died 
July 18) : George Cramer, of I (died July 20), and William 
C. Sheets, of I, (died July 13). 

Wounded — Major Joseph Brutt", Captains E. G. White- 
sides and Elmer Moses, Lieutenants (Jharles C. Chapman, 
Henry A. Donaldson, Charles Leimbaeh, Ralsa C. Rice and 

Freeman Thoman. Enlisted 
men : (Jorp. Dighton Young 
and J. Crouse, of A; George 
Murdock, John W, King, 
Wallace J. Henry, Samuel 
Fenn and Patrick Welch, 
of B ; Howard Bascomb, 
Cassius Coats, John A. Har- 
wood, Harvey Lamb and 
George Waterman, of C ; 
William B. Scott, of F ; 
Charles B. Randall, of G; 
John Dai ley, Jolm Henson 
and Frederick Xauek, of 
IF; Robert L. Fulton, of K. 
Xearly all of those here 
named recovered and re- 
turned to duty ; others were 
discharged from hospitals, 
cause not given on the record, and it is uncertain who they 
were. 

Captain Moses was struck twice, one ball shattered the 
bone of his lett thigh and another lodged in his leg below 
the knee. Rufus B. Woods and Fred K. Knight, of B., 
carried him from the Held. He was never again tit for duty. 
Lieutenant Thoman was hit after the regiment retired 
to the ca[)tured pits. John Dailey lost an arm. Our left 




Cai'T. Ei.MEi; M' 



EM.Afv Ri:ri<i:.\Ts. 



283 



Aviiiij sutterc«l most, luiviiiij least luvoi-ahk' i^roiiiid. IJeiija- 
min J. Porter, ot" I, was Itoside tlu- color hi-an-r of tlio '■\\A 
Kriitucky wIk'Ii the latter was killcil, ami roi'tt-r ( auiilif up 
aiul i-arried tlie tlatf for a few iniuiiti's. .laiiu's Willi'iiiiii, of 
F, was one of tlio iiuMi wlio carricMl (iriicial Hai'kei' from tlic 
tiel.l. 

()ui- killed Were recovered uikKt a llai; of liure on the 

L'Sth. 

Dur losses in June, in addition to those liefore noted, 
wore : Discharged on aeeount of wounds, Fi'ancis Spragiie, 
of B, and Cljaries II. Countryman, of E. For disal»ility, 
Solomon Ames, of D. Kesiirnod on aeeount of wounds, 
Ca^.t. Steeu B. Parks. 

ON T(» Till-: CIIATTAIIOOCIIKK. 



llavinu' failed to lirt-ak tlif lines liy assault, <ieneral 
SlnTman gave orders for a niovi-nient l)v tlie right tlaiik. Mc- 
IMierson's three corps to go from the left to the extreme right 
where JSchotield was holding an advam-od 
I'osition beyond the enemys think. It 
retpiired a few days to aceiimulate rations 
and load tlu-m in wagons. NT. L. Smith's 
division of Logan's cor|>s was sent in ad- 
vaiici' to SelioHcld, cuaMing the lattei- to 
make his position more secure. On dune 
2!> the 125th was on the skirmish line. 
iSonii' <d" the hoys met a party ot the 
enemy between the lines and nnide an 
agreement with tliem that neither sidi- I■'^■'T a.^.n r dm.iky 
should tire uidess :in ad\auet- was at- 

tempte<l. That may not have been an authorized pi-oeeed- 
ing, l)ut it made things more comfortable. The Twentii'th 
Corps extended to the right relieving Ilascalls division of 
Twenty-tliird Corps, Ilasenll moving nearer to Cox. After 




284 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



(lark on the 2iid of July the Fourth and Fourteenth Corps 
stretched out to the left, and with Garrard's cavalry covered 
the line vacated by McPherson's command, which marched 
to the Sandtowii road. 

General Jolmston anticipated the inevitable flank move- 
ment and fell back during the night. Pursuit was begun 
early on the 3rd. William Hull, colored, was picked up that 
morning, having slept through the evacuation. He served 
with us as Major Bruft''s servant to the 
end of the war. 

The Fourth Corps entered Marietta 
at 8 A. M. At 10 A. M. again advanced on 
the road east of the railroad, the Four- 
teenth and Twentieth Corps going on 
roads west of the railroad. About noon 
the Fourth Corps was ordered to cross 
over and march on the railroad, and at 
3 p. M. came upon the enemy's skirmish 
pits in advance of their main works, 
crossing the railroad at Siiiyrnn camp ground, about live 
miles south of Marietta. 

Stanley deployed with right resting on the railroad ; our 
division went to his left, and Wood's still further to the left. 
Tlie Fourteenth corps came np on the right of the railroad, 
and the Twentieth Corps on the right of the Fourteenth. 
McPherson was still further to the right, west of ^N'ickajack 
Creek. 

July 4 Sherman's army celebrated by pressing the enemy 
at all points. Our main lines were advanced to the lines oc- 
cupied by the skirmishers and held the ground. The skirmish 
work for our own brigade was performed by the 79th Illinois,, 
supported by the 42nd Illinois. The 125th moved with the 
brigade, and worked on the intrenchments thrown ujt on the 
advanced line. Part of McPherson's command crossed Nicka- 
jack Creek, The Sixteenth Corps skirmish line, commanded 




\\IIJ.IA>I ilri,L (LV>o|. 



AD I AXCE TO 77// ( '//. / /7'. l//( HH 'I//-./-. 



-'•^5 



]>y Col. Edwiirtl F. Xoyes, 3l>tli ()irK>. capt uicd :iii :i<lvanc(.' 
work. Colonel Xoyt's was severely wouiidcd. At iiii^lit-lall 
till' ojiposini; annies were in close contact and under cover of 
<larkni'ss, the Confederates fell Itaek to a shorter line near 
the rivi'i'. Theii" ahsenir was discovered at da\li<i"ht and 
ortlers wert' ii;iven foi- inuncdiate pursuit. Thr Fourth Corps 
advanced aloni; the raili'oad, lla/.en •< hriu'ade h-adinir. At 
X'ininu's Station a rear unaiMJ was tound hehind a I'ail barri- 
cade, from wlTu'li they were driven, and retired hy a road 
leadini; east to l'at-e"s Ftiry, where they crossed the Chatta- 
liooclieeon a pontoon hridu'e. 

Tlu- enemy were in force across tlie river and their >kir- 
mishers lined thi' river hank. Wood went into camp on a 
rid^i^e half a mile from the ri\«'r. our division went to Woixl's 
left and rear, and Stanley still hirther to the left. Mel'her- 
sons rii:;lit also reachetl the river helow 
tlie enemy's left Hank. From a hill at 
Vinintjs the n^MUTal otjieeis and a i-ood 
many of the hoys ohlaiiied a view ot" 
Atlanta. 

Stoni'inans cavalry operated viii(»r- 
ously on tlie ri\i'r helow Mel'hcrson's 
riijht, ami his movenjents, t(»ii:ether with 
Mi'IMierson's, le<l the enemy to expect an 
attempt to cross helow tlie railroad. 
Slu'rman irave orders for movi-nu-nts in- 
tended to strenii^then that imju'ession, 
hut prepared to cross ahove. lie sent Schotield tt» the 
mouth of Soap Creek, si.\ or seven miles above Howard's 
left, to etfec-t a crossinu'. 

Garrard occupied Koswell on the Uth. and burned the 
large woolen and cotton factories there, the owners vainlv 
trying to savt- tlu-m by tlisplaying a Frciieh flag and elaimini:- 
allegiance to France. They had been operating exclusivelv 
for the Confederate Government. 




KliU.VIlM 1". Ni'YKn 

ItiiuiKliir (Jt'iicml. 



286 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Oil the 8tli, Schofield etfected u crossing at the mouth of 
Soap Creek. 

Garrard crossed at lioswell on the 0th, and McPher- 
son started Dodge's corps to that point. Sherman transferred 
all of McPherson's command from right to left for the next 
advance. As Dodge had a long march, our division wa& 
ordered to Roswell temporarily, and marched without wagons 
or camp equipage, taking roads out of sight of the enemy, 
making a distance of sixteen miles on a very hot day. Ahout 
sunset our brigade waded the river at a 
ford and relieved Minty's cavalry brigade^ 
the 125th going on picket. 

Johnston abandoned his works and 
.^ crossed to the south side of the Chatta- 
lioochee in the night of the 9th, burning 
the railroad and wagon lu'idges. Our 
division was relieved on the 10th by 
Dodge's corps, recrossed the Chattahoo- 
chee on the 11th, and on the 12th marched 
back to the camp at Pace's Ferry. On 
the same date Stanley's division crossed 
the river on Schotield's pontoon and marched down to a strong 
position covering Power's Ferry, when a pontoon l)ridge was 
laid there on which Wood's division crossed. On the 13th 
our division rejoined the cor[)S, crossing at Power's Ferry. 




Col. H. X. Whitbeck, 
(ioth O. V. I. 



NANCY'S CREEK — BUCK HEAD. 



On the 13th there w^as a general advance. McPherson 
marching from Roswell to the railroad a few miles east of 
Decatur. Schofield moved rla Cross Keys toward Decatur. 
The Army of the Cumberland crossed Nancy's Creek and 
drove the enemy's cavalry back to Peach Tree Creek. Pal- 
mer's right was near the junction of jSTancy's Creek and Peach 



y.-IXO'.S CRll.K — IWCK HF.AD. 



28: 



TreeC'reek, Ilookt'i- in the ccntrr and Ilou aid at llink lltad. 
Otir l)riga<le lotl in tlio Foiii'tli C^n-ps and the skirmish work 
was iK'rtormed l)y the lioth, siijiported hy other reiriiuents of 
Opdyeke's denii-hris^ade. At the erossint; of Nancy's Creek 
tlie |iassai;e was dispnti'd hy Williams' hrii^ade i>t" Whetder's 
cavalry, covereil hy a harricade ami supjun'ted hy a fonr-ii'un 
batteiy. Colonel ()|»dyke orderi'd Lieuteinmt Colonel Moore 
t<» drive tJH-ni out, sendiiii;- the or(l !\cnni(d<v forwai'tl on onr 
left, and the woi-k was (|uickly done, after wiiich tluic was a 
rnnninu: fiudit for six miles to Hnck Head. 

At a chnrcii fnrther on, the t'tiemy made a second 
determinetl stand, and ()|idytke si-nt the tl.^th Uhio also to 
the front line. A third stand was made on a hill from whi(di 
they tired hy volley hut overshot. At l^nck Head they rallied 
in ami tried to hold their works hnt were e.\|telle(l hefore 
they had time to fairly form, and onr 
own line advanced half a mile fur- 
ther and halted near Wheeler's late 
hea(h[nariei-s, six miles from At- 
lanta. 

(hie man killed and li\'e wound- 
ed in the lJ.')th was a lii^ht loss, 
eonsiderini:; the work done, and 
showetl how well the men could take 
advatitau'e of trees, fences and ine- 
qualities of the li-ronnd and still 
make rapid proirress. 

ISnmuel Uogers, of K, was killed. ■'^■-•^^^" » '■'"►• '' ""'•'•" 
Jesse B. Luse, of C, lost an arm. St'rirt. dacol* .lewell. ot' F, 
was sliijhtly woiuuled in the side. The names of the other 
three wounded are not now known. 

The enemy lost u Colonel, kilK'tl, and Cajitain, wouml- 
ed, whom they were nnahle to remove on account of (jiir 
rapid advance. 




.288 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

Corporal James Willemin, of F, captured an officer, 
who came from the left of their line towards the center, not 
knowing the center had been expelled, until lie heard the 
-command "halt," and found himself covered by tlie Corporal's 
rifle, whose comrades were pressing forward, leaving no 
chance for escape. 

Opdycke's favorite horse, Barne}', was killed under him, 
and he mounted another. Coming np to a deep miry ravine 

which the men crossed, Capt. John 
W. Tuttle, in command of the 3rd 
Kentuek}" at that time, could not 
induce his horse to cross. Colonel 
Opdycke rode up and made the at- 
tempt, and his horse mired so that 
he was compelled to abandon him. 
He said " Barney '" w o u 1 d have 
crossed. Just then a shell burst near 
and Captain Tuttle's horse broke 
away from liim and ran to the rear, 
leaving both officers to overtake the 
""^'"^ """•' "''^^•^^- line on foot. The Colonel then 
mounted the horse captured by Willemin. 




rEA€H trp:e creek. 

On the l.Sth of July, General Johnston, was superseded 
in command of the Confederate army, by Lieut. Gen. John 
B. Hood. On the 19th our forces secured crossings at several 
points on Peach Tree Creek. 

On the 20th of July, Slierman's forces extended from the 
vicinity of Howell's Mill on Peach Tree Creek to Decatur, 
a gap of two or three miles existing between Thomas' left, 
and Scholield's right. Howard with Wood's and Stanley's 
divisions moved over to join on the right of Schofield, leav- 
ing Newton's division to advance on the direct road from 



/•/■:. IC// JRI.I: ( KI.IK. 



;89 



IJiick llciid t<i Athiiita. XcwiiMi (•i<i--cil rc;icli 'I'rcf Crei'k 
and iihoiit Kill' 1". .M., liis skii'inisli line, ( 4 Jt li Illinois) drovt.' 
the t'Dcniys skinnislu'i's tVum a lidu'*'. di>tant. alxnif halt' a 
niilf tVoni tile Ci'frk, Ivindialls and \\ au'ncr's lu'iuadi's, (the 
latter coiiiiiiaiidrd mh that occasion \\\ ('oj. John W. Ulake,) 
and lour jtiin-os ot" (ioodspecdV Itatterv. ad\anrrd to tlic 
ridiiC wliorc tliey loi'Mied, Iviinltall on the ri^ht, and Rlaki' 
on the left ol" tlie roati, with the artillery in tlu- center, ami 
hi'iran to constrm-t a harricade of rails and loi^s. Ahonl two 
I'. M. I5ra<lley's hriujnU' followed and nuissed in column of 
rciiMini-nts in i-earo|' Ivimhall. The 7!Mh Illim»iswas on [licket 
some distance to the left and was not called in. The "(Tth 
Indiana was sent alonu' the I'idue to the left under orders to 
scout as far as Clear Creek, distant one mile from IMake's 
left, and the l<HMh Illinois was de|i|oyed as skii-mishers across 
the low ii"round to XewtoiTs left ami rear. Ward's di\ision 
of Hooker's c(U-[»s next on Newton's I'iii'ht fornnd in the 
valley, his skirmish line only adxam-ini:' y> y 
to the I'idi^e. On Wards front wi'i'e o|t(ii 
tields. Klsewhere the front Was jiea\ily 
timhered. Ward prohahly desire<l t" 
kci'p his troops out of sii^'ht from the 
enemy. iJeary's division next on tin 
riirht. and William's division on <it'ai'y"> 
riiilit wi're each on rid^'es runniui:' at a 
-liiiht anu:le to tin- <:eneral direction of 
the line, so tliat the riulit id' each division 
was some <listance in advance of the left -"■'•' ^v. 'i wmm, ,: i 
of the ni'Xt divisi(Mi. (ieary and Williams i-ach had two 
lu'iii'ades deployi'd and (un- in reserve. .lohnson's division (d' 
the Kt)iirteenth corps was next on the riyht of the Twentieth 
Corps, liaird next, and I)a\is on the extreme riirht. In this 
position, ami hefore the int renchments were <'oniplete. tin- 
line was suddi'nly assailed In' sujH'rior nundters. (leneral 
Ifood in his otticial report, says: 




290 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



"My troojis were disposed as follows: Steward's corjis on the left, 
Hardee's in the center, and Cheatham's on the right, intrenched. My 
o1)ject was to crush Thomas' army before he could fortify himself, and then 
tui'u u])on Schofield and McPherson. To do this Cheatham was ordered to 
hold his left upon the Creek, in order to separate Thomas' army from the 
forces on his (Thomas') left. Thus I should be able to throw two corps 
(Stewart's and Hardee's) against Thomas. Specific orders were carefully 
given these Generals in the presence of each other as follows : The attack 
Avas to begin at 1 p. m., the movement to be by division e)i echelon from the 
right, at the distance of about 150 yards, the effort to be to drive the enemy 
back to the creek, and towards the river into the narrow space formed by 
the river and creek, everything on our side of the creek to be taken at all 
hazards, and to follow up as our success might permit." 

Wheeler's cavalry, opposing McPhersoirs march from 
Decatur, was driven back more rapidly than Hood expected, 
and he was compelled to move Cheatham to the right the dis- 
tance of a division front to interpose between Mcl'lierson and 
Atlanta, and ordered Hardee and Stewart to make a corre- 
sponding movement to the right. That delayed the attack 
for two hours, and when it was made the 
right division (Bate's) passed Kewton's 
left, brushing away the 57th Indiana and 
100th Illinois, driving them back upon 
the creek, and then Bate made a bold 
rush for the bridge in Newton's rear. 
Hardee's next division (Walker's) as- 
sailed on jSTewton's front, but extended 
some distance beyond his right. As the 
several divisions of the assaulting col- 
AiiKiAN iin II. 1;. unin came up in succession the roar of 

battle rolled on to the right. The assaulting troops, under 
the orders to take everything south of the creek at all 
hazards, rushed on with desperate valor. The fight opened 
on Newton's left, then extended along his front, and a few 
minutes later the enemy passed his right fiank, compelling 
Kimball to refuse his right. At the same time, Ward's three 
brigades were rushing forward on Newton's right and met the 




ri-.AClI TRFJ-. CRII'.K 



291 



CMiciiiy 1)11 till' ri'i'st, st()|niiiiL:' liis iiroi;-rr>> ;iii(l tlini tuiciiii>; 
his rcti'cat. lu'toiT that was ac- iiiiip|i>hiMl. (icary ami Wil- 
liams wort- also assaih-d, the riii'ht hfiiradc ot" each trisisioM 
hi'iiii:- Hrst ri-arlicil hy the c'lK'iny, wlmsi' lu-adloiii:' rush raffit'd 
t lifiii iia>t the riulit think (it' each ot' 1 JnoUcr's di\isi()iis, w here 
they iiu't the ret'iise<l let't •»!' the next divi>i(»ii in tVunt and 
Were at the same time suhjiH-ted tt> an entiladini; lii-e titun the 
re>er\i' hriii'ade. At all points the hoys in hlne stood fast, 
infantry and artillery scndiiii:' \(illey alter Nollcy of deatli- 
dealintr missiles throiiuh the ranks of the men in iiray until 
tiiey wei'e hr<d<en ami forei-d into disorderly retreat. At the 
openini:: of the tiu'ht, l^ratlley's hrli;ade was in tlu' edii'i- ot the 
timher, midway from tlu' i-reek. to Kimhall's fnu'. Colonel 
JJradley sent the -JTth Illinois to (ieiieral 
Kimhall, and tin' 4Jiid and .")lst Illinois 
to Colonel Ulake. lie had h'tt, then, 
only the fiiur reii'imeiits eonstitntiny; ( )p- 
dyeke's (hini-hriu'ade. By lirad ley's 
order, (>iidyrke wheeled the rcii'iments 
to the left and ad\aneed ol)li<|nely to the 
tri)nt and left to proti'et l>lake"s flank. 
In tliat movement oidy the skirmish 
line, Comiianies II and K. (ilth ( >hio, 
encountered the I'nemy. Colonel l>rad- 1;. r. woudwokhi. u. 
ley rode to tlu- front, h'arned of Bate's movement heyond 
Blake's left, and, riuhtly anticijiatiiiii- an effort to seize 
the hi'idti'e, retnriied in haste and ordered ()|Mly(k(' to i-e- 
tire to and form alonij: the roa<l, facin<:- the east. The 
position of tlie 12')th Oliio in that line was ahont oni'-fourth 
of a mile trom the hi'id^-i-. just helow the Woods, and t'aciliiT 
tlie open tields. Xi-wton Inul lett two pieces of Goodspeed's 
l)attery at the l)ridij;e. Spi'n<'er"s hattery of four i^uns came 
up and went into position near tlu- hi'idire. The artillery 
helonginu" to Waid's division was also at the hiiduc and 
General Thomas in pei-son ordered it into position. All the 



c 


1 


"■•^ 


[ 


yjk^ A 


w 


-'y^;^ 


Wi 



29: 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



i2;uiis were jiosted so as to swee}) the open lield east of the 
roach By the time these dispositions were made Bate's cokimn 
luid made its way throngh the thickets to the edge of the 
timber and were ready to rnsli for the a[»parently unsnpported 
batteries and the bridge. A skirmish line emerged from the 
timber closely followed by a column massed, company or, pos- 
sibly, division front, moving double quick and headed for the 
bridge. Oui" men o})cned fire so (piickly that most of them 
heard no order to begin. The artillery also opened. The 
impetus of the movement carried the enemy's head of column 
some distance into the o[)en, but with all those guns tiring 
gra])e and cannister into their faces, and an infantry line, at 
the distance of a few rods, sending showers of minnie balls 
into their I'anks at just the proper angle to work the utmost 
possible havoc, continued })rogress was simply impossible. 
The leading companies, or what was left 
of them, surged backwards upon those 
in the rear, they in turn broke, and then 
all went in wild disorder back to the 
friendly cover of the tindjer. The 125th 
Ohio tired five rounds per man, and prob- 
ably hit more men than ui>on any other 
occasion in the same length of time. The 
return fire of the enemy was light and 
wild. Only the men on their tlank could 
tii'c. <)pdycke"s demi-brigade did its part 
in preventing Hood from taking everything south of the 
creek at all lia/ards, with a tritiing loss. 

Hood's plans were moi'c promising and easier of execu- 
tion than Sherman's assault at Kenesaw, but resulted in an 
equally disastrous repulse. Johnston had been removed for 
permitting Sherman to cross the Chattahoochee, the Con- 
federate government evidently demanding a more aggressive 
resistance, and the failure of the initial blow struck by the 
uew commander must have l)een discouraging, though it did 




Thomas G. Strahi,. 1<; 



rii.icif 7'/y /■:/■: ci<i-ii< 



-9.> 



imt (Ic'tiT liiiii troiii rf|icatiiiii- the fxpi'iinu'iil two (l:i\> lalt-r. 
Iltxid's losses wt'i'c lull ti\c t lioii-aiiil. 'IMiniiia- |(i>t IT'lT, 
nearly all in Ilookcf's (•(ir|is, Newton's division jiad a taiilv 
i;i)otl hanieaile and only lost 1<HI. It was not alwa\s easy 
for men on the K-ll of Xewton"s lini' to decide wliidi side <d" 
tlie lirea>fwork was sate>t. Itiit tlu-y never tlidiiulit ot leavin«r 
it. Two men wounded in 12.')tli — l']dwln (". W'ondw nrt h. of 
r>. I lir "tlicr not now known. 



r..\ TTI.I-; OK ATLANTA. 

< >n the lilst of duly (Jenoral Sherman's troops closed wy 
and felt tlu' enemy's lines, findinii- his inti-cnchnuMits well 
constrncted and extendinii' from a 
point ahout one ndle >ontli of the 
Auiiiista railroad north and we>t to 
the CMiattan(»()i;a railioad. at an av- 
erage distance «d" tour miles Irom 
Atlanta. 

On the niorninu- of the I'lind that 
entire line was found to he deserted. 
The enemy had retired to tln' interior 
defenses of Atlanta, eneirdini;" the 
eity at a distanee of one and one-half 
miles trom the centi-r. The streni^th 
(dthe works made it possihle to hold 
them with thin lines. enal)linu- IIoo(l to use two-thir<|s of his 
force for a<ru-ressive movements. He correctly judi^.d that 
Sherman, tindinu" the exterior lint- ahandoiied, vvonid |Mi>h 
all his troops direct ly against the interior line, and planned to 
strike and <-rusli Sln-rnnin's left wing whih- tin- forward 
movement was in j)ioi^re>s. 

McJMierson's aihance was along the railroad trom I>eca- 
tur, i.ogan's corps in the center, lllair's on tli*' lelt and 
Dodge's on the right. The forward movement, contracting 
the lines, hrought the Twenty-third ('orp> next on Loir;,|,"s 




294 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



riglit, leaving Dodge in reserve. McPlierson ordered the 
latter to march southeast to the vicinity of Blair's left for 
the purpose of strengthening the tlank, and Dodge's two 
divisions were in motion on an obscure wasfon track through 
the woods alxmt one mile in rear of Blair and Logan when 
they were suddenly assailed by Bate's and Walker's divisions 
of Hardee's corps advancing from the east, Avhile Cleburne's 
division pushed into the interval between Dodge's right and 
Blair's left, and with Maney's division on his left, enveloped 

and assaulted Leggett's division on 
Blair's lett from front and rear. 
Hardee had marched in the night 
through Atlanta on a road leading 
southeast to its junction with a road 
leading north to Decatur, and on the 
latter road until his head of column 
reached a point a couple of miles 
south of Decatur, when his troops 
faced west and advanced. His head 
of column had marched fifteen miles. 
That his movement had not been dis- 
covered was due to the fact that Sher- 
man had sent Garrard's cavalry on a raid eastward, and the 
country was rough and timbered. The Confederates had all 
the advantage of a complete surprise. To aid Hardee's 
attack the enemy sallied from their works and assaulted in 
front, gaining some temporary advantages. General Mc- 
I'herson was with Sherman at the Howard house when the 
attack from the rear began and rode away at once, meeting 
Logan and B)lair first, and then going to Dodge. Sending 
orders in every direction his staff was soon scattered, and 
having provided for all contingencies on Dodge's front, he 
started for r>lair"s position, accompanied by a single orderly, 
and in the woods i-an into C'leburne's skii-mish line, advanc- 
inii: through the intei'xal between Dodge and Blair. Though 




Ma.t. Gen. John A. Ldcan. 



.]A /'///■ A'SO.V Kll Li:n. 



-95 



suiiiiimiu'il to halt ]. IiOj'wIiccKmI and at t ciiiiitcd to «'scajit', 
wluii a v.lU-y was tin-d, killiiiii' the Gciu-fal and woiiiidiiiir 
the (»f(h'ily. Thf sitiiati<»ii of the Army of tlio Teiiiiesseo 
was cH'ftaiidy n-itic-al ; its roiiiiiiamhr dead. Its sc'vcral eorjis 
8e|»apat('(l ami I'miDusly assuilod in front and itar hy >uiit'i-i<.i- 
nunihiTs, hut likt' their I'omrados of thi' Army of the Cum- 
hefhmd on the liOth, otHeei-s"and men stood l>y their eohirs 
ami held their i^roimd. (ieiieral Louan as senior (dlieer 
assnnii'd eomnniml ami was e(|iial to the eiiicfiiiiiry. The 
attaek opened shortly after noon. At dark the cminy with- 
drew, thor(Mii:;hly beaten, havinu- lost tully Iiijkmi men in 
killed. woiiii(h-d aiitl |>ri>oiifrs, while the total los> on our 
side was ■V.rlX killed, wounded and missini;', and ten pieees 
of artillery. The confederate di-ad left on tlie field e.xeeeded 
'2.')(l(» men. The Twenty-third Corjis was next on tlii- ri<i-ht 
of the .\rmy of the Tennessee, its K'ft near I lowni-d's housi'. 
The several i-orjis of the Army of 
the Cundierhiml had ad\aneed dnr- 
inu" the mornini,^, ami by noon were 
well up. The Fourth Corps was on 
the left extemliiiii- from the l>uek 
Ilt'ad road to the ri^ht o I' the 
Twenty-third ("orp>. Uradley's liiii:- 
ade of Newton's di\'ision, alone 
goiiiiT to the riiilit of the road to 
connect with the Twentieth (Oips 
next (Ui the riu'lit, the Fourteenth 
Corps heiuii' on the ri<::ht ot' the 
Twentii-th ami the extreme riirht of < vn. i-hkkman tii..m.xn .im.,-.). 
thearmy, its riijlit ri'sting on thcTurner's Ferr\ road. I>nr- 
ing the afternoon batteries w fre posted and o|iened tire, and 
the skirmishers advanced to ke«'p tlie enemy employed and 
prevent any further con«entration aii:ain>t the .\rniv of the 
Teiinessei". The lL!.")th ( »liio worked all that niuht on 
intreiicbmonts. 




^^Mi^i^i^ 



296 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



A CANALRY RAID. 



Ill approaching Atlanta from the north and east, Gen- 
eral Sherman aimed to reach the line of railway to Augusta, 
and render it useless to Hood, intending when that was 
accomplished to extend by the right for the purpose of 
reaching and destroying the Macon railway, when Hood 
would be compelled to leave Atlanta. 

The Army of the Tennessee was ordered to vacate its 
lines and pass in rear of the other corps to the extreme right 
leaving General Schofield on the left flank. At the same 
time General Stoneman was ordered, with his own and Gar- 
rard's cavalry, to move by the left around Atlanta, while 

General ^IcCook, with his own and 
Harrison's cavalry, moved by the 
i-ight ria Fayetteville, the two com- 
mands to unite near Lovejoy Station 
on the Macon road and tear u}) and 
destroy the track. The cavalry expe- 
ditions started but never united. 
Stononian instead of joining Garrard 
at the appointed place, turned east 
and proceeded as far as Macon, where 
he found further progress impossible 
and attem[)ted to return, was hotly 
pursued, and in danger of being sur- 
rounded. \\hen he ordered two brigades to escape Avhile he 
lu-lil the enemy in check with another. One V)rigade esca[ied 
intact, the other was i)roken up and scattered, many of the 
men making their way out on foot, while Stoneman himself, 
with 700 men was com[)elIed to surrender. Meantime, Gar- 
rard, hearing nothing from Stoneman, fell back from P^lat 
Kock to Conyei-"s Sration where he learned of Stoneman's 
ni(i\c toward Ma<-oii. and he then i-eturned. 




■ I. .I.\M1 - W \T-nN, INth O. \'. I. 



./ C.ir.U.h'Y RAID. 



297 



M(('(>()k"s ciixalry rt-ai'lKMl LdNcjoy Statiitn tVdiii the 
West at tlie ajipoiiiti-'d linif. liaviiiu' toi-ii up a section "f tlic 
West I'oiiit raili'oad at ralnu-tto. caiit iiicil and IhiiiumI ."i(I(> 
wauoii- at Fayottc'villo, takinu; :i.')(i i.iisnncis. lie liurnctl 
tin- station at Loxcjoy, and hcpin ti-arinu' u|> the track, liut 
was soon c<»unic'lU'd to desist, and di'tV'nd hinisi'lt" against a 
ra|>idly acciiiMnlatinu' tore*' of the enemy. Hearing nothing 
troni Stonenian and tinding progress eastward strongly 
resisted, he turned south-west and reached Newman, where 
he eneoiintt'rt'<l an infantry force on hi> front, and that with 
the pursuing eavahw, hemmed liim in so that he was compeHetl 
to (h'o|> his prisoners, and cut his way 
I'Ut. h)sing alioiit ')tti) otlieers and men. 

i;.vTTi.K OF i;/,i;.\ cm imii. 

On the -JiWh of July. Major 
(ieniMal Howard was aligned to the 
rMiiiiiKind of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee. Mil'), (ien. I). S. Stanley 
-ueci'eding to the commaml of the 
i'^ourth Corjis, and a few (htys lat«'r 
r.rigadier (Jeneral Kind>all was ap- 
pointed to siieei'ed Staidey as eom- 
mandt'r of the First I )ivision, C'tdoiiel ()pdycke sueeeeding 
Ivindtall in eiunmand of the Kir>t IJrigade of our ijixision. 

On the night of the lit'.th, the .\rmy of the Tennessee 
drew out of its lines and marched let the right, the head of 
column reaching the Uuck Head road at (hiylight on the 
JTtli. i)ot|ge"s corps was in advance, and when the leatiing 
division eame to tlie rear of tiie Kourteentii Corps it lormed 
in two lines faeing south. inove<l forward and wheeled into 
line t)n the rigiit of the Fourteenth ("orps. The ne.xt dixision 
hy the same maneuver formed on the riglit of tliat. I>y the 
time tlielieatl of r)!air"s corps eame uj> to the right of I>odge*s 




II m;i.i> SMI 1 11. n i 1- 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



it was iiiglit. The only resistauce encountered was from 
skirmishers. At daylight on the 27th, Blair and Logan 
were in motion again, and by noon, Blair's two divisions 
were in position on the right of Dodge, both corps tacing 
east, the i-ight of Blair's drawn back slightly covering Ezra 
Church, about three miles west from the center of Atlanta ; 
while Logan's corps was formed on a ridge extending west- 
ward from Blair's riglit making a I'efused flank facing south, 
less than a mile north of Utoy creek. Increasing resistance 
by skirmish lines, and the enemy opening on Logan's Jeft 
with a battery about noon led to the conviction that Hood 
was preparing to try once more to crush the moving ilank 
before its lines were formed, and the troops covered by 
defensive works. Logan's men lost no time after reaching 

the top of the ridge, but hastily piled 
rails and logs as the foundation for 
a parapet which they were not given 
time to complete. Logan's three 
divisions were furiously assailed at 
the same time. General Howard at 
once sent the reserve brigades of the 
other two corps to extend Logan's 
right and strengthen weak points in 
the line, and although the enemy 
pressed with energy and courage, 
they were complete)}' repulsed, los- 
ing from six thousand to seven 
thousand men and five battle Hags, while the aggregate of 
Howard's losses was only 562. 

On this date Major General Hooker, was relieved from 
command ot the Twentieth Corps at his own request, and was 
succeeded by Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum. Other changes in 
corps and division commanders occui^red about that time. 
General J. C. Davis succeeded Palmer in Fourteenth Cor[)S ; 
Ransom succeeded Dodge in Sixteenth Corj>s; Hazen and 




Jason Casio, C U!-ltU) 



s //<(;/■: o/' .1 ri.AX'jw. 



299 



Corse were assiii'iu'd to divisions in Fit'trontli Corps; CliarU's 
"R. AVoods and (liU's A. kSniith to dixisioiis in tlif Seventeenth 
Coi|>s and .lolin W. Fnller to a division in Sixtccntli Corjis. 

Three t-ostly taihires within eii^ht (hiys satisfied tlie C'on- 
t'ederate anthoi'ities tliat Atlanta conld not he s;i\c(l hy offen- 
sive ojH'rations against Sherman's army, antl alter. Inly 2<S, 
General Hood remained strietly on tlie (h't"ensi\-e. (ieneral 
Shernnin pnrsne(l his [ihm and the enemy met each I'Xtension 
hy a eorrespondin^i; extension of their own int iH-iuhments. 

On Jnly 20, Davis" division of the Fourtei-ntli Cor[)S, 
snjiported hy Ward's division of tlie Twentieth Cori>s, went 
to the riulit of the Army of the 
Tennessee, met tlie enemy's skir- 
mislu'i's near the (ireen's Ferry I'oad 
antl (h'ove them in, hut found further 
progress towards the I'ailroad l)aiTed 
hy the enemy's intrenehed lines. In 
the night of August 1 the Twenty- 
thirtl ('or[)s withdrew from the ex- 
treme lett and moved to the exti-eme 
right Hank, the remaining twodixis- 
ions of the Fourteenth Corjis tollow- 
ing on August '1. The Twentieth 
Corjts extended to the right to occu- 
py the ground vacated hy the Fourteenth, and the Fourth 
Corits extended to the left to cover the sj>ace vacated hy the 
Twenty-third Corps. In that movement the First Division 
and Opdycke's brigade of the Second Division, F«»urth Corjts, 
relieved the Twenty-third Corps. 0[Mlyc-ke being then on the 
extreme left of the infantry lines. Our own brigade remained 
near the Buck Head road. I'pto ihc i'')tli of August there 
was no nniterial change in the lines north ol' Atlanta. It was 
a month of hard work. The picket line was a skirmish line. 
There were demonstrations daily on some ]iart of the line l»y 
one side oi- the other, the casualties in the Fourtli Corjis 
.averaging about twt-nty-tive jier day for that period. There 




('lIAI!I.K,-< M. M.M.TIIY llS9."i). 

Orih-rly Scif;ciint. K. 



300 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 






was also eontiiiuouis artillery tiring, (jur guns tii'iiig at the 
enemy's forts and those of the enemy generally aiming at our 
batteries, but occasionally varying the program by shelling 
our camps. The l"25th Ohio took its regular turn on the 
skirmish line and on fatigue duty, working on intrenchments, 
and was fortunate in having very few casualties. By August 
7, the Fourteenth and Twenty-third Corps on the extreme 

light had worked their way forward 
into close contact with the enemy's 
intrenchments, but were unable to 
reach tlie railroad. On the 10th four 
siege guns arrived from Ohattanooga 
and were placed in position to throw 
shells into Atlanta. They were 
worked day and night, landing shells 
in all parts of the town and do- 
ing much damage, but the enemy 
showed no signs of leaving their 
works. General Sherman now de- 
cided on another grand Hank move- 
ment, by which the ai'my should march past the enemy's 
intrenched lines. 

On the Kith orders were issued for the movement to 
begin on the isrli. Tlie Twentieth Corps was to march back 
to an intrenched position, covering the bridge over the Chat- 
tahoochee, while the rest of thi' army moved by the right to 
the railway lines south of Atlanta, the wagons to carry 
rations for fifteen days. 

The execution of the ordci- was suspended, however, on 
account of General Wheeler, with a large cavalry force, 
makinu' a raid on the railway line north of the Etowah. lie 
appeared on the line at Adairsville, ca[)tured a herd of nine 
liundred beef cattle on their way to Sherman's army, broke 
the railway at ('alhoun, then sweeping northward attacked 
tiie 2:arrison at l)alton,but was i-cpulsed. Wheeler's absence 



Geoi;<.i: 1;i;i;i:\i an, A. 



S/ /:(,/: or Alf.AXTA. 



301 



left Hood iiitVrioi ill (."ivnlrv. :iii«l SlicruiMii snit I\ ilpat I'ick 
to break tla' lilies soiitli of Atlanta, li()|iiii^- lie would riiiii»le 
tlu'iu to an extent tliat would toiTe tiie evacuation ot Atlanta 
without iiioxiiiii' t lie intaniry. K i Ipat rick Icit Smidtowii in 
the niu-ht of the iSfh, hroke the West Toiiit mad at Kair- 
l»iirn, tlii'ii pi-oceeded to dcuieshoro on the Macon line, whcie 
1m' met and wliij>|ted Ross' Confederate eavalrv, held the load 
t«U' a tew hours, tearing' up the track lor sonic distance, hut 
was then attacked hv intantry and dat-ksons cavalry. He 
rode (»tt' to the east, made a circuit, ami ri'tunied to the liin' 
at LoN'eJoy Station, hut was au'ain attackecl and then made 
his way out iioilli and east to Decatur, arri\i!ii:- on the lii'nd. 
lie estimated that the daniaii'e done to tin- line could he 
repaired in ten days, and Sherman at 
once ordered the oriiiinal [ilaii to he 
e.XecUti'd. 

i:\ti;acis imjom diauv. 

d Illy -Ia. — Workiuii'on intrench- 
nieiits. It is iieci'ssary to i)e watch- 
ful, as the enemy lire at e\ery man 
seen. Seru't. William 'rownseiid, of 
A. was wounded. 

duly I't!. — Fourth ('oi'ps' line 
sti'i'tcheil out to relie\'e otlu'i' troops. 
We constructed a j)ieket fence in fr.ont of our works str(uii;' 
I'liouiih to delay the enemy if they cliarue. 

duly 1^8. — 12.3th oil picket. Samuel Sailor, (d' K, was 
killed, and (Jeorife Sheiiatield, of (i, was mortalK' wounded. 

duly 31. — Losses and promotions in duly : First Lieu- 
tenants lvidi;-ley C. Towers. CMuirles T. Clark and Alexander 
Hickson weix- prcuiiotcd to C'aj)taiiis, (d" 1>. F. and K. respi'c- 
tivi'ly. Lieut. .Xyrum 1 'hillips was appointe(l Adjutant, and 




\\ 111,1 \ M II lil.KN'i . I' 



302 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Lieut. AV. II. Crowell, Heginiental Quartermaster. Sec- 
ond Lieutenants Charles Leimbacli, Richard K. Hulse and 
Charles C. Coates were promoted to First Lieutenants. 
Sergeants Alexander H. Postlewait and Thomas R. Mahan 
were promoted to Second Lieutenants. Died : John Heiner, 
of G (from wound), and David Barnes, of K. Dischai'ged 
for wounds and disabilit}^ : George Jestin, of C; Charles 
Reed, of H. Christopher C. Clark, of C, was transferred to 

Veteran Reserve Corps on account 
of wound. 

August 1. — The Goth and 125th 
(3hio moved to the left lialf a mile 
and worked on a fort. 

August 7 (Sunday). — Worked 

on the fort eacli day hist Aveek. No 

work to-day. Two sermons to-day 

by Chaplain Lewis. Colonel Op- 

dycke took permanent command of 

the First Brigade yesterday. Our 

regiment will be transferred to that 

brigade soon it is said. 

August 14 (Sunday). — 125th worked on the fort all 

Aveek. It was finished yesterday. Our l)atteries shelled the 

city with unusual vigoi' last night. Cluqtlain Lewis pi-eached 

at 10 A. M. We go on picket to-night. 

August 15. — On picket. The Pioneer Corps, under 
Lieut. Waklern S. Williams, prepared new rifle pits in front 
of the old line, and we advanced to them. 

August 18. — Enemy opened with artillery heavily, while 
we stood at arms at day break. Buih fires in rear and used 
means to deceive the enemy. 

August 19. — Our l)atteries opened at 3 a. m. and sent a 
tornado of shells over to the enemy for half an hour. At 
5 P. M. a general demonstration alonu' tlie line. 




I \M W . |l \\ Mi-. 



Sir.GF. RAISIiD. 



303 



Anuiist 20. — Wakened at 3 a. .m. Onlers to be ready 
for any einei'uenc}', l)nt all (|uiet duriiiii; the day. Details 
Imilt tires at various i)laees to indicate to the enemy heavy 
force }) resent, 

August 22. — 12.")tli went on picket at night. 

August 23. — All (juiet on }iicket line. Very little can- 
nonading today. 

August 2'). — M arching ordi'r tor to-night. It is to be a 
move to cut the railroails ijelo\v Atlanta. 

August 31. — Losses in August not before noted were : 
Died, .losepli Custer and Festus G. Tyler, of C; Jacob 
King, of II (troni wound): Charles Alabaugh, of I, and 
George W. Lanqthear, of Jv, the latter in Andcrsonvillo 
jirison. J)ischarged on account of wounds, Sei'gt. John 11. 
Morrow, of II, and Henry Longsmith, of 1. Transferred to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, Feri'is W'l.jcott, of K. Promoted, 
Second Lieut. David K. Blystone 
and Second Lieut. Henry A. Pon- 
ahlson to First Lieuteiumts. Ser- 
geants Darius W. I'ayne, of E, and 
Henry (Jlenville, ol' II, to Second 
Lieutenants. 

.lONKSlloKO AM) LUVKJOY STATION. 

The seige of Atlanta was raised 
and the flank m<»vt'ment begun in 
the night of August 2"). Tin- Foui-th 
CtU'jis drew out of the works north 
of the city after dark, the picket 
lines following so (piietly that the enemy failed to discover the 
movement and continued tiring all night. Our brigade was 
the last to start, and halted alxuit daylight of the 26th on 
Proctor's creek, having been delayed by troops of the Twen- 
tieth Corps crossing our route in their march back to the 




.I(»lix (ill.i.ls, H (l,yi.'». 



304 



OPDVCKE TIGERS, 



river. Hiulson Fitch, of D, was captured l)y the enemy's 
skirmishers, who tollowed our rear guard. At 8 a. m., on the 
26th, Wood's and Xewton's divisions formed line and began 
fortifying, the eneni}' having commenced a brisk skirmish 
with the pickets. It was soon found they were not fo1k>wing 
in sufficient force to attack, and the march was resumed about 
10 A. M. Crossed Proctor's Creek and marched eight miles, 
camping on Utoy Creek. That night the Army of the Ten- 
nessee marched in the direction of Sandtown and the Four- 
teenth Corps massed on the left of 
the Fourth. The army was now 
along the road from Atlanta to 
Sandtown, except the Twenty-third 
Corps, which remained in position to 
t'over the movements. On the 27th 
the movements continued, Howard's 
command moving towards Fairburn 
and Thomas' towards Red Oak. Our 
division brought u[> the rear, guard- 
ing wagon trains, and did not get on 
the road until three r. m. ; nuirclied 
about live miles, crossed Camp Creek 
and cami)ed near Mount Crilead Church. 

August 28th, the Fourteenth and Fourth Corps marched 
to the railroad near Red Oak, and Howard s three corps came 
up farther to the right near Fairburn. The work of destruc- 
tion was prosecuted vigorously dui'ing the night and all next 
day. Over twelve miles of track were torn up, the ties burned, 
rails heated, bent and twisted and cuts tilled with earth, logs, 
rocks and loaded shells. 

August 80th, the marcli was resumed, Howard moving 
towards Jonesboro, Scholield towards Rough and Ready and 
Thomas in the center to Couch's. Up to this time, the move- 
ments had been obstructed only by skirmishers, but Hood had 
sent two coi"i)s to Jonesboro with orders to attack our right 




Wll. 1,1AM Ma-(iN, II (1S!I;>) 



/OXESh'OKO AX/) /.Or/-:/Oy S7\I77(K\ 



305 



tlaiik. llowaiMrs :i<l\:iiicc corps, tlic Fillcfiit li, crossed Klint 
ri\'cr on the e\c'niiiii" ot" tlic 80tli, liis other cdi'ips cdiiiiiiL;- up 
(lunui:,- tlu' niijlit. iiii«l all wt'rc in line and intrenched on the 
31st. All the other corps advanced on that dav to the rail- 
road, the i'^ourtecnth Corps sti-ikinji: it ahout tour miles north 
of Joneshoro, the Twenty-third Corjis near Ixouuli ami lieadv 
and the Fourth Coi'psatan intorniediate point. Ahout noon 
the enemy attacked I low ard and. al'ti-i' a two hours" iiiiht. was 
repulst'd and withdrew to his inti'eneliments at doneshoro. 
tSlierman then ordered Thonuis and Sdiotield to close ih»wn 
on .loucslioro. hreakirit;; the road as they advanced. 

Sejtteiidii'r 1, 'I'honias and Schotield moved south aloiiif 
the railroad, destroyinu' it. Sherman iuid expected the work 
to he (h)iie and the troops at .loneshoro hy noon, l»ut the 
Fourteenth Corps did not ijfet into line on Howard's left 
until 4 I'. M.. when that coi-ps assault- 
eil, carryiuii' the enemy's works lui 
its fi-t)nt. with a loss of 1200 men. 
and capturinu' lOdO men and scxcral 
<::uns. The Fourtli ("oi-ps, following 
the Fourteentii, came up later the 
Fii-st division forming on the left of 
the Fourteenth C'(U'ps and our own 
division on its left, Wood's di\is- 
ion in reserve, all getting into line 
under fire. ( >n ad\ anting. Ivimhall 
touud the woi'ks on his trout ahout 
dark, while Xewton passed tlic ene- 
my's Hank. It was then too hite to 

make further progress, and the enemy retreated in thenigiit. 
Loss in the Fourtli C«ups. 11."). The 12")tli Ohio was in the 
front line on the extremejleft, ami met only cavalry, wlio 
retired skirmishing lightly. At dark the [.ic-ket line of 
the 125th was advanced so as to inclose a hosjtital con- 
taining a large numher of the enemv's wounded men. 



r 1 



•v^ 



nlJfl 



I'lTi 1; Ml I'.i 1:, A ^IX'o 



3o6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



That night soiiiuls of heavy explosions were heai'd 
in the direction of Atlanta, about twenty miles distant, 
caused by the enemy blowing up trains of cars and preparing 
to evacuate. The enemy retreated from .lonesboro the same 
night, and pursuit was ordered on the morning of the 2nd. 
Howard moved on roads to tlie right of the railroad and the 
Fourth Corjtson roads to its left. Early in the afternoon the 
enemy was found in intrenchments near Lovejoy Station. 
Howard deployed with his left on the railroad, and the Fourth 
Corps deployed on the left of the railroad, Newton's division 
on the right, Opdycke's brigade near th^ railroad, Bradley's 
next and Wagner on the left. Wood's division was on the 
left of Newton's and Kimball's to the left of Wood, The 
Twenty-third Corps was not up. When all was ready the 
Tines advanced over difficult ground, coming in sight of the 
works at 5 p. m. Knefler's brigade was the only one that suc- 
ceeded in getting to the works, and 
it failed to eftect a lodgment. The 
lines were, as usual, too strong to be 
carried by direct assault, and most 
of the brigades made no serious 
attempt to carry them, but ad- 
vanced to within musket range and 
threw up barricades. The Twenty- 
third Corps on arrival formed on the 
loft of the Fourth Corps. The Four- 
teenth Corps remained at Jonesboro. 
On the morning of the 3rd the fall of 
Atlanta was officially announced, and 
orders given to send sick and wounded to Jonesboro and to 
cut roads to the rear so that troojts could be withdrawn easily 
to march to Atlanta. Heavy skirmishing all day. Light 
rains, and the men put up their shelter tents. Lieutenant 
Colonel Moore, Captains Bates and Dickson, all seriously ill, 
were sent in an ambulance to Atlanta. 




<;. H. Mastkhs, K ils'.Ci 



IN ATLANTA. 



307 



On the 4th tlie enemy ojjened tii'c on the ciinip of the 
125th, kilHng Thomas G. Strahl, of E, .ind wounding Corp. 
Charles Wagner, of A, and Chester Tnttlo, of C, when the 
regiment was ordered into the works. At 5 v. m. the regi- 
ment went on picket, was relieved at 5 i'. \i. on tlie .")tli. ;ind 
at 8 1'. M. marched with the corps to 
Jonesboro. The withdrawal from in 
front of the works at Lovejoy was 
effected so quietly as not to be dis- 
covered, the Fourth Corps" pickets 
coming away at midnight undis- 
turbed. 

September 6, we remained in 
camp. The enemy's cavalry skir- 
mished lightly with the outposts. 

September 7, marclied to Sykes' 
house near Rough and Ready. 

September 8, marched to Atlan- 
ta, and went into camp two miles northeast of town, near 
the Augusta railroad. 

An order had been issued transferring tlie 125tii Ohio 
from the Third Brigade to the First Brigade, that we might 
be under the immediate command of Opdycke, and on Sep- 
tember 9 we took leave of our old associates and set up our 
shelter tents with the First Brigade, which then consisted of 
the 24th Wisconsin, 36th, 44th, 73rd, 74th and S8th Illinois 
and 125th Ohio. 




.loSKI'lI I). Masteks K (I.S9.')1. 









ClIICK.VMArCA MdXlMKNT — I!5TU O. V. I. 



CHAPTER XL 



A F,I<; PvAID. 



Genei-al Sliennairs Special Field OtcUt, No. 64, direct- 
ing the army to eiicuinp around Atlanta, promised "a full 
nKjntli's rest, with every chance to organize, receive pay, 
replenish clothing, and pre})ai'e for a tine winter's campaign." 
An order was issued requiring all citizens to vacate Atlanta 
and prohibiting any civilians from coming there. Sutlers 
were included in the prohibited list. It was Sherman's pur- 
pose to convert tlie place into a fortiiied depot that could Ijc 
held by a small f )rc*e. It required but a few days to exe- 
cute the order, and the work of constrncting fortifications, 
w^as entered upon without delay. The usual roniine of 
camp life was taken up and was a wel- 
come change from active campaigning. 
On the 12th the 125th w^as out as gnard 
to a foraging train ; on the 16tli began 
holding dress parade, and i-eceived ordeis 
to begin drills on Monday, the 19th ; on 
the 24th Lieutenant Colonel Moore left 
for the North, liaving resigned and being 
(juite ill. Jjieutenants Chapman and 
Hulse accom[)anied him to Chattanooga. 
On that date notice was received that 
Henry II. Adams, of (i, en route from Nashville to the front, 
was on the railway train captured by Forrest, at Athens, and 
was made a prisoner. 

On Sunday, the iotli, the (piiet camp lite was suddenly 
terminated by an order for the Second Division, Fourth 
Corps, to proceed by rail to Chattanooga. The Confederate 
authorities had decided not to wait for Sherman to initiate 
the next campaign. General Lee had more than once drawn 




U. n. Ai.AMs, G (18C2' 



3IO 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



his opponent tVoin movements towards Richmond by march- 
ing around his flank and pushing for the Potoraac. Might 
not Hood, by boldly moving north and threatening Sher- 
man's long railroad line, force the latter to follow back to 
the Tennessee and lose all that had been gained b}' the four 
months struggle tor Atlanta ? The })lan seemed feasible, and 
was adopted. General Hood had his army intact and every 
possible effort was put forth to reinforce it. Sherman's 
army was just then son»ewhat depleted by the muster-out of 
regiments whose terms expired, and for some weeks after 
the fall of Atlanta he received few recruits. Forrest's cav- 
ali'v ordered to act with Hood, gave him 
a heavy preponderance of horsemen, an 
advantage of immense importance in view 
of the character of the proposed campaign. 
While Wheeler's cavalry operated against 
the railroad l>elow Chattanooga, Forrest 
crossed the Tennessee, on September 20, 
captured the garrison at Athens, and 
marched to Pulaski, Tenn., where he was 
checked by General Rosseau, and then 
gex. s. I), lek, c. s. A, divided his force, part going east and the 
main body westwai'd. Those movements led Sherman to 
send the Second Division of the Fourth Corps to Chattanoo- 
ga, and Morgan's division of Fourteenth Corps followed on 
the 29th, while (worse's division of the Sixteenth Corps went 
to Rome. 

'^riie 12")tli lett camp at 3 r. M., l>oarded the cars and 
started at 5 i'. iM. on September 25, and arrived at Chattanooga 
at 8 I'. M. on Monday, the 2(ith. Camped I'or the night near 
the railway. Next morning went into camp near Fort 
Wood. Bradley's brigade went to Bridgei)ort. (ireneral 
Newton, with many otiier officers, had gone north, and Brig, 
(len. Georice T). Waii'iier was in command of the division. 




BATTLE OF ALLATOONA. 



311 



On the 29th Sherman learned that Hood was crossing 
the Chattahoochee about twenty-four miles southwest from 
Athinta, and then decided that if Hood nuirciied into 
Alabama for the [>urpose of reaching: Tennessee he would 
send a sutlicient force to General Thomas at Ciiattanooga, 
and with the main body move upon Savannah, belie\in_ii" tliat 
would induce Hood to turn back, but if Hood should move 
to strike the railroad south of the Etowah lie would follow 
him. Orders were issued accordingly, and as Hood marched 
in the direction of Marietta, Sherman's army marched on 
the 3rd of October, to meet him. leaving the Twentieth 
Cor[>s to liold Atlanta. The Fourth and Fourteenth Corps 
crossed the Chattahoochee on October o and halted for the 
night at Smyrna Camp (Iround. On that date Hood's 
advance was near Lost Mountain. On the 4th Hood sent 
Stewart's corps to destroy the railr(jad north of Marietta, 
while liis main body encamped between 
Lost Mountain and ])allas. Stewart ca|i- 
tured the garrisons at Ackworth and Big- 
Shanty, damaged the railroad consider- 
ably, then sent French's division to attack 
Allatoon.i, Stewart marching to rejoin 
Hood. On the same date Stanley, com- 
nuinding the Foui'th and Fourteenth 
Corps, marched through Marietta, and 
camped at the base of Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, while Howard, with the Army of the 
Tennessee, crossed the Chattahoochee, 
halting at Smyrna, and the Twenty-third Corps, commanded 
by General Cox, marclied from Decatur to Pace's Kerry. 

Early on the morning of the oth, French's division 
assaulted the works at Allatoona. The regular garrisitn con- 
sisted of three regiments, under commaml of Lieutenant 
Colonel Tourtellotte of the Fourth Minnesota, but had been 
reinforced during the night by three regiments brought 




Mitjdr <iiMicnil, r. s. A. 



312 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



from Ivome by Brigadier-General Corse, and the latter 
officer assumed command. The Confederate attack was 
prosecuted with desperate courage and persisted in for 
several hours, in which time they carried the main riiie 
trenches. Corse's men retiring to trenches surrounding two 
small redoubts, which they held. It was one of the most 
fiercely contested actions of the war, the losses on both sides 
being very heavy. Both Corse and Tourtellotte were 
wounded, and the killed and wounded in Corse's command 
was over seven hundred, while the Confederate loss was far 
greater. Finding it impossible to carry the place, French 
marche<l away. On the same date Howard moved into the 
old Confederate works near Cul[)'s farm, 
Stanley moving to Howard's right, his 
line extending to Pine Mountain. Cox 
cange forward to Marietta on the 5th, and 
early on tlie 6th moved to Staidey's right 
near Pine Mountain. Corse was sent back 
to Rome. Sherman then waited a few 
days for Hood to develop his purposes. 
(3n the 8th the Fourth Corps moved to 
the vicinity of Ackworth, followed by the 
Fourteenth C^orps. The breaks in the 
railway, occasional interruptions of tele- 
graph lines and operations of Confederate cavalry, kept the 
troops at Chattanooga on the alert. 

On the 5th, while the battle at Allatoona was raging, 
Opdycke with six regiments went south by rail, was stopped 
at Pesaca and then ordered to return via Cleveland. The 
movement was occasioned by re})orts that Wheeler's cavalry 
was threatening the railroad. ^)n the 7th Opdycke returned 
to Tiesaca, taking with him several regiments, including the 
125th. Near Resaca two cars were derailed, killing Surgeon 
Ferson of 74tli Illinois, and injuring Colonel Barrett of 44th 
Illinois, and (tthers. On the 8th the [^command I'eturned to 




W. H. T. Walkfr, 
• Major General, C. S. A 



HOOD MOVING NORTH. 



313 



Chattanooiju r/(( Cleveland. On tlu' lOlli Slu'rinan learned 
that Hood was erossino- the Coosa aljout fifteen miles l)elovv 
Home, and ordered the army to coneentrate at Rome. Tlie 
Fourth and Fourteenth Cor]>s marehed throuo'li Allatoona 
Pass, crossed the Etowah and the head of column reached 
Cartersville at 8:80 p. m. On the 11th marched to Kingston, 
and on the 12th marclied to within three miles of Rome. 
Meantime Hood had moved hehind ridges north of tiie 
Oostamiula to Resaca, arriving on the 12th, and demanding 
a surrender of the garrison, which was refused. Leaving* 
S. D. Lee's Corps at Resaca, Hood marched to Tilton, battered 
down the block house with artillery and ca])tured the 17th, 
Iowa, then moved to Dalton, where the 
garrison, a regiment of colored troops, sur- 
rendered ; then to AFill Creek Gaji, wIumx' 
he captured the garrison of a block house 
and secured a passage through the Gnp. 
By this time Sherman was pressing upoii 
liim, and not intending to fight, he re- 
treated to the southwest. Sherman heard 
of Hood's arrival at liesaca on the l-Uli, 
and at once set his troo[»s in m(»lioii. 
The Fourth (^orps marched rda Calhoun, 
and camped on the old battlefield, three 
miles north of Resaca the next day, having marched thirty- 
five miles within twentj'-four hours. 

The pursuit was pressed vigoi-ously on tlie loth and Kttli, 
tlie Army of tlie Tennessee passing through Ship's Gap on 
the 16th, the Fourth and Fourteenth Corps halting at 
Villanow. Is'o move on the ITtli ; inarched at 6 a. m. on the 
18th for Summerville and arrived on the 19th. On the 20th 
marched to Gaylesville. Sherman halted at Gaylesville for 
a few days to live off the country and find out what Hood 
would do next. Hood's appearance on tlie railroad gave the 
garrison at Chattanooga extra duty also. General Schofield 




K.vKL Van Dokn, 
Major General. (J. S. A. 



314 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



arrived from the north, and being unable to reach his com- 
mand or communicate with Sherman, telegraphed to Gen- 
eral Thomas at Naslnille, and was ordered to take command 
at Chattanooga. For a few days it was thought Hood might 
make an attack. The works were repaired and everything 
put in order for a good defense, and detachments were sent 
out to watch the enemy's movements. The 125th did con- 
siderable traveling by rail. Went to Ringgold on the 15th, 
returned on the 16th and went through 
to Whitesides ; next morning ran down 
to Bridgeport, and on the 18th ran back 
to Chattanooga and marched to the old 
battletield of Chickamauga, having the 
novel experience on tliat day of eating 
breakfast in Alabama, dinner at Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn , and supper in Georgia. 
Marched on the 19th to Lafayette, on 
the 20th to A^alley Store, and next day 
to Alpine. The Second Division re- 
nuiined at Alpine several days and lived well on the country. 
Meantime Hood's army reached Gadsden, Ala., on 
the 20tli, to which point he had sent his trains and 
reserve ai'tillery after crossing the Coosa, showing that 
his dash at the railroad was intended merely for a raid 
and to draw Sherman farther from Atlanta. Hood says in 
his official report that he intended to cross the Tennessee 
near Gunter's Landing and march on to Bridgeport, hoping 
that would compel Sherman to return to Tennessee to save 
his line of supplies, but that Forrest's absence made it 
unsafe to do so. On the 22nd he set his army iti motion, 
reaching: Decatur on the 26th. Brig. Gen. li. S. Granger, 
with a small force, was prepared to resist a crossing at 
Decatur, and on the 29th Hood moved still farther down 
stream, haltinu- at Tiiscumbia and Florence, where he 




Ma.i.Gen.T. E.G Ransom 



FOURTH CORPS SENT TO TENNESSEE. 



3»5 



remained two weeks. When Sherman discoNered Hood's 
movement towards the Tennessee he ordered Stanley to 
take the Fourth Corps to Bridgeport and report to General 
Thomas, wlio was then at Nashville. Stanley reached 
Alpine on October 2(5, where our division rejoined the corps 
after an absence of thirty-one days. On the ^Tth the coi-[)S 
marched to Lafayette, twenty-four miles. On the 28th we 
marched at 7 a. m., halted on Chickamauoa battletield at 1 
V. M. for dinner, then proceeded to Rossville, making twenty- 
five miles that day. Tlie boys began to think that Hood 
was really in Tennessee and the "■ cracker line"" in pi-ril. 

On the 29th Stanley was ordered by Gent'ral Thomas to 
proceed with haste to Huntsville or Athens. Wood's divi- 
sion marched to Chattanooga, was loaded ui)on cars jiiid 
started, leaving artillery and wagons. The first and si'cond 
divisions cam[>ed near Lookout Mountain. 

A later dispatch directed Stanley to march his leading 
division from Athens to l*ulaski, forthwith, iiiiless he found 
that Hood was still south of the Tennessee, the other divi- 
sions to follow as ra[>idly as possible. 
Stanley followed Wood to Athens, and 
there learned that H()od had one corps 
across at Florence. Wood marched at 
once for Pulaski. The cars were kejit 
moving, and transported the entii'c c(»rps 
except Kirby's brigade to Athens. Kirby 
acted as escort to the wagon trains, and 
marched rhi Dedierd to Pulaski. The 
second division was the last to leave Chat- 
tanooga. The [laynuister came to camp, 
and the 125th was j»aid after dark on 
the 30th. On the 31st the regiment Itoarded the ears in 
Chattanooga, arrived at Athens at midnight, but remained 
on the cars until morning. It rained and the men were 
given time to dry theii- elothes next n\orning, Itefore march- 




M. I' l,H...i;ii. 
l!\t. Miijor fieiii'ial. 



3i6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



ing. Camped Novembei' 1 about four miles from Atbens. 
On the 2nd marched 11 miles through deep mud, showers 
of rain adding to the discomfort. On tlie 3rd, marched at 8 
A. M., forded Elk river about noon, and marched eight miles 
'further, coming to a pike, and then camped for the night. 
iSText day marched to Pulaski and camped on a ridge about 
two miles west of the town, and remained there until 
i^ovember 22nd, engaged in work on tiie fortifications, for- 
aging, picket and other camp duties. General Hood had 
secured a crossing at Florence but required time to prepare 
for a forward movement into Tennessee. Meantime General 
Sherman had obtained permission to make his march to 
Savannah. He left General Thomas to take care of Hood, 
giving him the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps. General 
Eosecrans was ordered to send the First and Second Divisions 
of tlie Sixteenth corps from Missouri to Xashville, and with 

that force it was thought Thomas 
could prevent Hood from doing 
much harm. Shernum marched back 
to Atlanta, sent all rolling stock 
back to Chattanooga, took up the 
railroad and sent the rails back, 
destroyed Atlanta and started on 
his famous march through Georgia 
on Novendjer 15. 

Losses in September and Octo- 
ber, 18<)4, not before noted, were: 

Died — Henry Charman, of E, 
and Abram Laurence, of K, both at 
Chattanooga; Jacob Berner, of II, at Atlanta, and Nicholas 
Schmitz, of H, in Andersonvillc Prison. 

Discharged on Surgeon's certiticate of disability — James 
Floody, of B ; Wallace D. Edwards, of D, and Patrick 
Murphy, of H. 




Coi.DNEi, Wkiistki:, '.ISlll Olli< 



AT PULASKI. 



317 



Ti-aiisferred to Veteran Reserve Corps — l*eter Meiger, 
of A ; Jiunes Woodai'd, of E; Alfred Maxoii, of F, and 
Lewis N. liobiuson. of K. 

Caitturi'd \)\ the iMii'my— On yeptenihei- 21, David S. 
Phillips, of I. who was ill and jK'rmitted to fall ont oi' I'anks' 
wliile on the march, went to tlu' honse of a Mr. Moore, aiul 
while there ill was disc-oviM'ed and carried otf hy Confederate 
soldiers. On tSeptend)er *J4. IMiilaiidci- Odcll, of C, was ea}>- 
tnred at Cassville, Ga. 




('HUKAMAn.A Mdmmk.nt — iI4tli O. v. I. 



ClIArTER XII. 



HOO])'.S CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE. 



Hood's uriny adviinced from Florence on November 20, 
1864, with a force present for duty, of infantry, 38,117 ; artil- 
lery, 3,068; cavalry, 12,753; aggregate, 53,938. 

General Thomas was at ]S^ashville doing all in his power 
to concentrate a force adequate to cope with Hood. The 
Twenty-tliird Corps had return'ed from Georgia b}' rail to 
Nashville. Cox's division was sent to join Stanley, who 
occupied Pulaski with the Fourth Corps, while Schofieki went 
with Rnger's division to Johnsonville to repel an attack by 
Fori-esf's Cavalry, arriving to lind that Forrest had already 

moved away. Schotield was then or- 
dered to leave two brigades at John- 
sonville. send the other brigade 
(Strickland's) to Columbia, and pro- 
ceed in person to Pulaski, to assume 
command of all the forces in the vicin- 
ity. His orders were to hold Hood in 
clieck should he advance long enough 
to enable Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith's 
troops, then expected from Missouri, 
to reacli Nashville, and General Wil- 
son's cavalry force to be remounted 
'"■''■ "'"' '• """"• and fitted for the tield. With Smith's 

two divisions and detached troops in Tennessee ordered in, 
together with Wilson's cavalry, Thomas expected to have a 
force equal to Hood's. Schofield assumed command at 
Pulaski on the 14tli. When Hood advanced Schofield had 
an effective force of 18,000 infantry, and four brigades of 
cavalry, about 3,500 horsemen. Hood's infantry was pre- 
ceded by his cavalry, Forrest's numerical superiority enabling 




FALLING BACK. 



319 



liiin to drive our cavalry before liini ra}>i(lly. The weather 
was cold, snow falling on the 21st, with high wind, and the 
cold increasing on the 22nd. On the 22nd, General IJatch, 
commanding the cavalry, was driven out of Lawrenceburg, 
and Schofield at once ordered public property sent from 
Pulaski to Columbia and commenced to fall back. Cox's 
division, followed l)y our division (Wagner's), marched to 




Lynnville. The frosty weather was not unfavorable for 
marching on a pike. The 12oth started at 9 a. m. and reached 
Lynnville at 4 p. m. It was thought that the bad roads oft' 
the pikes would prevent Hood from making rapid jjrogress 
and Pulaski was evacuated without haste. The First and 
Third Divisions of the Fourth Corps marched on th'e after- 
noon of the 23rd, arriving at Lynnville in the niglit. Cox's 
division left Lynnville at 3 i'. .m. on the same date and 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



camped that niglit ten miles north. After muhiight infor- 
mation was received that Capron's brigade of cavahy had 
been driven out of Mt. Pleasant by an infantry force. Mount 
Pleasant is about ten miles southwest from Columbia, while 
the distance to Lynnville is eigliteen miles. It began to look 
as if Hood was making fast time in spite of bad roads. There 
was evident danger of his getting to Columbia first, and 
cutting off our force from retreat towards Nashville. The 
troops at Lynnville were waked and marched at once. Cox's 
division was also ordered to march forthwith and when 
approaching Columbia took a cross- road over to the Mount 
Pleasant road, where he found Capron's brigade of cavalry 
retreating, unable to stop the superior force of the enemy. 
Cox's infantry turned the tide at once and Forrest was com- 
pelled to give u[» any ambition he may 
liave entertained to capture Columbia. 
Cox then formed line about one mile 
west ()!' town, his right resting on Duck 
river. Wagner's division extended from 
Cox's left to the Pulaski pike. Wood's 
division on Wagner's left faced south, 
Kimball's division on Wood's left carried 
the line to the river al>()vc the town. The 
125th reached its position in the line at 
ma.t. Gen. i 11. wiixin. -j^-|^ ^^ ^^^ prepared coffee and dined early, 

tlien worked on fortifications until dark. 

General Hood's purpose, as shown by his ofiicial report, 
was to anticipate Schofield at Columbia, and cut off the hitter's 
force from communication with Nashville. Had he suc- 
ceeded in that, he could have used his surplus cavalry to cut 
the railroad to Chattanooga at or below Murfreesboro, when 
the forces at Chattanooga would probably be compelled to 
evacuate for want of supplies, and Hood would have re- 
gained all the territory that had l)een lost in eighteen months. 








lU I. . ,11.. Ki.\VAi:I> r. I'.Ml- iis'.'"i 



AT COLUMBIA. 



321 




l,ii:ri-. ItdMN |i. Kai;ni;s. 



As soon iis Hood's line of achance was developed, 
Thomas ordered the evacuation of Johnsonville, sending- one 
of Ivuger's brigades (Cooper's) to (Jentreville, thirty miles 
west of Columbia, on Duck River, and the other by rail to 
Columbia. General Wilson came down from Nashville to 
command the cavalry, which was posted to guard the river 
crossings above Columbia. 

On the 25th, skirmishing between 
pickets was kept up all day. At o i'. m. 
the 125tii went out with Opdycke's brig- 
ade on a reconnoissance along the Pulaski 
pike. The troops formed at the picket 
line, our Companies A and F acting as 
flankers, and then advanced, driving the 
enemy's skirmishers aljout one mile, when 
a large body of their cavalry was found 
ready to dispute further progress. The 
brigade then retired to the works. Preparatory to a with- 
drawal of the troops to the north bank of the river, Stanley 
was ordered to move Kimball's andAVagner's divisions to a 
shorter interior line, while Cox's division crossed to the north 
side and Wood's division spread out and held the entire front 
line. The movement began after dark on tlie 25th and the 
troops were in the new positions at 10 p. m., and spent the 
night in constructing new works. 

Early on the 26th, the enemy drove in the pickets on the 
I'ight of Wood's line. They were reinforced, and in turn 
drove the enemy, regaining their positions. 

On the 27th, the artillery and wagons were taken to the 
north side, and the wagons were parked near the crossing of 
Rutherford Creek, three miles north. That night all the 
troops were withdrawn to the north side, Wagner's division 
marching last. The 125th was sent to the picket line near 
the Pulaski }»ike at 2 p. .m. Remained there until 8 p. m., then 
retired to the works, and finallv to the river, l)ut remained on 



322 



OFDYCKE TIGERS, 



the south side until about three a, m. on the 28th, then crossed 
on the raih'oad bridge and joined the division in camp near 
the raih'oad. The raih-oad bridge was burned as soon as we 
crossed. During the forenoon the 125th moved with the 
division about two miles to the left, opposite the town, and 

threw up breastworks. At 
4 p. M. the men })ut up their 
shelter tents, built tires, had 
supper and, having lost two 
nights' sleep, retired early. 
During the daj' Forrest's 
cavalry had forced crossings 
at Iluey's Mill, and at other 
fords eight to ten miles up 
the stream, and Wilson's 
troopers fell back, under or- 
ders to concentrate at Hurt's 
Corners. Part of Capron's 
l)rigade on the Lewisburg 
and Franklin pike was cut 
off at Rally Hill, but by 
good management and hard 
fighting escaped. By the 
loss ot^ Rally Hill, Wilson 
was cut off from direct roads to Columbia. 

On the 29th, Forrest advanced on the Lewisburg [>ike. 
Hanking Wilson out of one position after another until he 
gained the cross road at Mount Carmel, when Forrest detached 
'A suflicient force to watch Wilson and with the main body 
moved across to Spring Hill. 




Jdii.N !•;. 1»ai:by, Surgeon (1895). 



BATTLE OF SPRING HILL. 



Post's brigade of Wood's division was sent on a recon- 
noisance towards Huey's Mill on the morning of the 29th, 
and discovered that Hood's infantry was crossing Duck 



BATTLE OF SPRING HILL. 



323 



River and moving north. Hood had left two divisions of 
Lee"s corps and most of his artillery at Columl>ia. 

It was obvious tliat the line of Duck lii\er could not be 
held, l)ut it was important to hold the crossing at Columbia 
as long as possible to prevent the enemy's artillery from ad- 
vancing on the pike, and also to gain time for our trains to 
get away. Schofield ordered Cox to hold the crossing- 
opposite the town, Ruger to obstruct tlie fords and roads 
below town, and prepare to fall back, AVood to support Post, 
and resist an}' advance by the eneni}' down stream, and 
Stanley to proceed with AVagner's and KimbalTs divisions, 
and the artillery and trains to Spring Hill. A later order 
halted Kimball at Wood's left, south of Rutherford's Creek. 
Wagner marched rapidly to Spring Hill followed bv the 
artillery and trains. The command moved left in front. 
ready to face the enemy, known to 
be on parallel roads a few miles east 
of the pike. Opdj^cke's brigade was 
in- advance, next Lane's, and last 
Bradley's. Four companies of the 
73rd Illinois preceded tlie column as 
skirmishers under orders to take post 
across the })ike and raili'oad at S[»ring 
Hill and prevent any stragglers from 
passing that ^toint. When the head 
of column was one mile from the vil- 
lage, citizens were met leaving the 
place, who reported that Confed- !'':"■ '■>>• ii nn;i; r. ]'.i:ai.m;y 
erate cavalry was ai)proacliing from the east. Wagner ordered 
Opdycke to doul)le-quick, and himseli' galloped on to the vil- 
lage, where he found our small cavalry force falling back 
before the advance of Forrest's cavalry, and the four com- 
panies of the 73rd Illinois rallying behind a barricade at the 
edge of the town. The first brigade followed Wagner 
double-quick, and on arrival the 74th and 88th Illinois, 




324 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



acting as one l)attalion, deployed as skirmishers, while the 
other regiments formed line facing north east, and followed 
the skirmishers, advancing against the enemy, then half a 
nnle distant, easily driving them back. The 125th was the 
tiftli regiment in the column on the march, went straight 
througli the village on the pike and formed on the left of the 
brigade. Stanley had ordered Wagner to hold enough 
ground al)Out tlie place to park the wagons within the lines. 
Having advanced as far as desired, Opdycke halted the line. 

A little later a body of the enemy 
was oljserved moving from the north, 
and (Ja}itain Bates, who was then 
commanding the 12otli, by Op- 
dycke's orders deployed tlie regi- 
ment into a heavy skirmish line 
crossing the pike and facing north. 
Still later, the enemy, persisting in 
his desii'e to reach the trains by 
moving around our Hanks, the 44th 
Illinois deployed on the left of the 
125th, and the 24th Wisconsin on 
< ML. koi;ektc. r.KdWN.Githuhiu. tlic left of the 44th, extending the 
line so as to cover the railroad station one-half mile north- 
west of the town. 

Colonel Lane had posted the 26th Ohio east of the road 
and one and one-half miles south'^of the village, and double- 
(piicked the other regiments of his brigade, following 
Opdycke into town, and forming line advanced to Opdycke's 
right, driving the enemy from the eminence half a mile east 
of the village, after a sharp fight, and then leaving his skir- 
mish line out. Lane fell l,)ack half way to the village and 
immediately constructed rifle-pits. 

At the time Wagner ordered Opdycke to double-quick, 
Stanley ordered Bradley to halt his brigade, then about two 
miles from the village, to let the artillei'v pass him. Bradley 




BATTLE OF SPRING HILL. 



325 



then followed the artillery, and by IStanle3''s order was sent 
to occupy a wooded knoll al)out three quarters of a mile 
from town to tlie right and somewhat detached from Lane's 
Ijrigade. Bradley formed with the G4th Ohio, Col. Kol)ert 
C. i>rown, deployed as skirmishers, followed by four reu'i- 
ments in line and one in reserve, and drove the enemy's 
cavalry back until he gained the position desired. While 
Bradley's men were constructing a barricade, his skirmish 
line was forced back, and he found a heavy foi-ce of infanti'v 
advancing on his front and right Hank, Cheatham's cor}'S 
was first in Hood's column, Cleburne's division leading. 
Cleburne's division attacked Bradley, aii<l having a longer 
line swung his left brigade around to reach Bradley's rear, 
where they were checked b}' our artillery, six batteries open- 
ing on them. Bate's division formed on Cleburne's left and 
Brown's to the right. The}' lost time in rectifying their 
lines, and night was upon them Itefore they wei'e ready to 
advance. Meantime Bradley's brigade had 
fallen back to the edge of the village and 
reformed in connection with Lane. Wag- 
ner's line then extended in a semicircle 
from the pike south of the village around 
the east side, crossing the pike again north 
of the village, its left resting near the rail- 
road station. It is probable that the heavy 
artillery tire led Cheatham to think the 
force before him was correspondingly 
large. At all events he did not renew 
the assault. 

Hood ordei'cd Stewart's coi-})S to go to the right ()f Cheat- 
ham and swing across the pike. Had that order been executed 
the chances for our capture would luive been good. Hood 
says in his report '' in the dark and confusion he (Stewart) 
did not succeed in getting tlie position desired, but about 
11 1'. M. went into bivouac." About the time Bradlev's 




1!. V . I III'.AIIIAM, 

Lieut. Gi'iRTJil. C. S. A. 



326 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



brigade was driven back, tbe 26tl] Obio was attacked, but 
made its way into town witb a loss of tliree killed and a few 
wounded. Later tbe 36tb Illinois was sent soutb on the 
pike to open communications, and went on witb sligbt resist- 
ance until tbey met our troops coming forward. Scbofield 
readied Spring Hill witb liuger's division, about seven p. m. 
Tbe enemy's cavalry was tben on tbe pike at Thompson's 
station tbree miles nortb. Tbe left of bis infantry line was 
witbin 600 yards of tbe pike soutb of town. One of Ruger's 
regiments acting as flankers had captured a stafl:' officer of 
Cleburne's as they came in. Wbitaker's brigade of Kimball's 
division bad followed Ruger to Spring Hill, and was posted 
opposite tbe enemy's left to cover the march of the other 
troops from Columbia. Witb two corps of infantry at band 
tbe enemy bad the power to seize and hold tbe pike, 
both nortli and soutb, which would prevent Wood and Cox 
from coming on and force all of Sclio- 
iield's divisions into disorderly retreat on 
l)ad roads leading westward, with a cer- 
tainty of losing trains if not artillery, 
and that Hood would use the pikes to cut 
them off from Nashville. Scliolield took 
Ruger's division and marched to Thomp- 
son's Station about 9 p. ii., finding that 
the enem}' had withdrawn from the pike, 
leaving only pickets, and Ruger was 
r.)i;i.\vii,ii \ 1 1 - N' \N. 1. posted to cover the cross roads, while 
Scbofield returned to S[)ring Hill. 

Meantime Cox's division was coming in, followed by 
Wood and Ivindjall. Cox was ordered to march on to 
Franklin followed by tbe wiigon trains, Ruger to go witb 
the trains from Thompson Station, and Kimball's and 
Wood's divisions to follow Ruger, k'aving Wagner's division 
to bring uj) the rear. While Hood's tired troops slept, Scho- 
field's equally tired troops, with all tbe wagons and artillery. 




BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



327 




iiiarched through the door, fortunately left open at Tlioiii}i- 
soivs station, and made good their escape. 

The losses for the day in Wagners division in killed and 
•wounded footed up 250, the large preponderance being in 
Bradley's brigade. General Bradley was severely wounded, 
and Colonel Conrad of the loth Missouri succeeded to the 
command of the Third Brigade. Cox's division had been 
hard [iressed at Columbia, but having 
breastworks sustained lighter losses. 
The only casualty in the 125th Ohio was 
Quincy Latin, of C, wounded. 

BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 

M}' kingdom for a bridge I General 
Schotield rode into Franklin with the 
head of column a little before daylight on 
November 30 and found the wagon bridge 
across the Harpeth destroyed. At the 
same time Opdycko's brigade was silently stealing away 
from the lines held during the night at Spring Hill, and 
assembling at the pike, preparatory to acting as rear 
guard. The array, with trains and artillery, was en route 
along the pike extending from one town to the other. 
Had a bridge existed at Franklin the wagons could have 
crossed without halting, and no general engagement would 
have occurred tliat day. Seeing tliat it would require several 
liours to prepare bridges and the rest of the day to cross the 
trains, and if the enemy pursued promptly, it might become 
necessary to tight for the crossings, Brigadier General Cox 
was directed to take command of Ruger s division in addition 
to his own, place them in position to cover the approaches to 
the crossings and intrencli. General Schoiield gave personal 
supervision to the work of preparing bridges. The railroad 
bridge was covered with planks, and approaches to it Avere 



I. X. Gin: 



i28 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



constructed by which wagons conkl cross. The posts of the 
old wagon bridge w^ere sawed oft' at the water's edge, new 
cross beams and stringers attached and phinked over. Tlie 
wagons massed, waiting for the bridges. By noon the bridges 
were ready and the wagons began to cross, but the streets 
and spaces near the river were still crowded with them when 
the battle commenced. 

Cox's division went into line, the right I'esting at 
Columbia pike near Carter's house, and the left upon the 
river, Eeillj^'s brigade on the right, the Second Brigade, 
Col. J. S. Casement commanding, in the center, and the 
Third Brigade, Col. I. N. Stiles commanding, on the left. 
Reilly's front line consisted of the 100th and 104th Ohio, 
his second line the 12th and 16th Kentucky and 8th 
Tennessee. Ivuger's division connected with Cox at the 
pike and extended in a curved line to 
the Carter's Creek pike. The Third 
Brigade, Col. S. A. Strickland, was on the 
left, with the 50th Ohio and 72nd Illinois 
in tlie front line, and the 183d Ohio and 
44th Missouri in the second line, the lat- 
ter being new regiments, untested in 
battle. The Second Brigade, on the right 
of Strickland, was commanded b}' Col. 
O. II. Moore, and deployed in one line, 
.Mai. (iKN. J. 1). (o.N. ^ii^., regiments being the 80th Indiana on 
the right, 23rd Michigan, 129th Indiana and 111th Ohio on 
the left, the latter commanded by Col. Isaac K. Sherwood. 

Kimball's division of the Fourth Corps extended from 
Ruger's left to the river below town. 

Fairly good l)reastworks were constructed on the front 
line, and near the Columbia pike interior works were 
thrown up to cover artillery, and were connected across the 
pike by a partially completed breastwork. The artillery of the 
Twenty-third Corps arrived fir.^t, was sent across the river 




BATTLE OF I- RANK LIN. 



329 




iiiid part (»f it jtlaced in position in the I'ort. Tlu- artillery 
of the Fourth Coi'[>s was placed in position along tlie line. 

Wood's division of the Fourth Cor]>s was sent across 
the I'iver to }>roteet tlie trains and support Wilson's ea\'ali\v 
should the enemy cross abo\e town and attenijit to gain our 
rear. 

The cavalry under (ieueral Wilson ha<l hcen diixeu to 
the north side o'i the Jlar})etli on .the :2!»th. and on the 
luorning of the 3<)th was watching the 
-crossings east of Fi'anklin as far as Triune. 
By fSchotield's order Wilson sent IlatelTs 
■division south of thejstreani to hold For- 
rest in check on the Lewishui-g pike until 
the trains and iufanti'y couldj'each Frank- 
lin. J>v 1^ 1'. .M. Hatch was forced hack 
])y superior numl)ers]and recrossed to the][ 
north hank. As Forrest's force o-reatly 
outnuuihered Wilson's, the latter could 
iu)t hold tlie crossings or roads to our 
I'ear if Forrest uiade a resolute niovenient uj)on them. Hav- 
ing now located the rest of the army we return to the rear 
guard. Ueneral A\'agner in his i'e})ort, says : 

''At -1 o'clnck A. M., Ndvcinliei- :Ul, by (lirc'ctii)n of Gciu-rnl Stanley, the 
ilivision took iij) tlie line of march for Franklin, and was charjiud with the 
duty of protec'tiii<i the rear of the army. For tliis purpose I caused the 
Socond and Third Brigades to march in parallel columns along the road and 
directed Colonel Oixlycke to move in line of battle to bring up the rear 
and in doing so to bring forward all stragglers belonging to the army. The' 
command moved ott" in good order. The enemy 1)egan skiimishing with 
the rear of Cdloncl ( )}>dyckc early in the morning, but we rcai'hed the 
vicinity of Franklin without accident or loss. AVlien thi- rear of the 
division reached Stevens' hill, two miles south of Franklin, General Stan- 
ley sent me an order to halt and allow the troops to get breakfast. I 
placed Colonel Opdycke's brigade in position in the gap and on the high 
point east of the pike, with a section of artillery, to check the advance of 
the enemy, who was pursuing us at this time. Colonel Lane's lirigade 
being put in position on Colonel Opdycke's left, and Colonel Conrad going 
into line to the left' of Colonel Lane, General AVhitaker's biigade, of the 



330 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

First divi!^ion, occupying the beiglits on tlie i-iglit of the pike. The enemy 
soon appeared in our front in heavy force, and the command was put 
under arms to be ready to repel an attack. Soon after these dispositions 
were made I observed the troops of tlie corps moving toward Franklin, and 
I withdrew my command from its advanced position on the heights and 
followed on toward town. When within half a mile of town I met a statT 
officer from General Stanley, with written orders directing me to re-occupy 
the heights and hold them unless too severely pressed. In obedience to 
this order I returned to the position from which I had just withdrawn my 
command, except that I now detached one regiment from Colonel Lane's- 
brigade and directed it to be placed on the heights to the right of the pike. 
from which General Whitaker had just witlidrawn his brigade. These dis- 
positions were scarcely comj^leted when Colonel Opdycke sent a messenger 
to report to me that the enemy was moving two heavy columns of infantry 
against our line, one by each of the two pikes leading into Franklin, one 
column turning my left flank. I thereupon again withdrew my command 
and retired toward the main line of our troops, which surrounded the town, 

and sent an officer of my staff to notify Gen- 
eral Stanley of my movement. I directed 
Colonel Lane's brigade and a section of artil- 
lery to go into position on the hill to the 
right of the pike about one mile north of 
Stevens' hill, where he remained, skirmishing 
with the enemy till his right flank was about 
to be turned, when I directed him to leave a 
ln'avy line of skirmishers to hold the hill as 
long as possible, and to withdraw his brig- 
ade and go into position on the right of the 
Third Brigade, which had been formed on the 
left of the pike about 400 yards in advance of 
our main line, at the same time placing a sec- 
tion of artillery on the pike between these 
two brigades. The commanders of the Sec- 
ond and Third Brigades, Colonels Lane and 
Conrad, were now directed to liold their position long enough to develop 
the force of the enemy, but not to attempt to fight if threatened by the 
enemy in too strong a force." 

Opclyeke's report gives further interesting details of tlie 
march , lie says : 




Bkig. Gen. Gi:()R(iK. D. \Va(!Ner. 



" By General Wagner's orders I then drew in all of the regiments, ex- 
cept Colonel Smith's, and made dispositions to act as rear guard. I was 
informed tliat our situation was critical, and the greatest efforts would be 
needed. Formed in two lines of battle, and Colonel Smith's command 



BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



331 



came from picket and dei)loye(l as skirmishers. A section of the Fourth 
Artillery reported to me at (3:30 a. m. We faced to tlie rear and moved oft' 
in line. As we debotiched into tlic little valley at Thompson's .Station, 
skirmishing opened. Colonel Smitii maiiai;ed his line skillfully, and sus- 
tainetl no loss. He killed a few rebels, one an oflicer, within a rod of our 
line. Stragglers soon commenced filling the road, mostly new men with 
immense knapsacks. They were so worried as to seem indiflerent to cap- 
ture. I ordered each of my three lines to bring along every man at the 




UNION 
CONFEDERATE 



Haiti, Kiiii. II hf Fkanki.in. 



point of the bayonet, and to cut off the knai)sacks. These orders were 
obeyed rigidly, and probably less than twenty men escaped our vigilance 
and were captured. I am sure that we saved five hundred men from cap- 
ture by these severe measures. The enemy continued to annoy our rear 
all the time, and at 11 a. m. we reached Stevens' hill, overlooking Franklin, 
took position on it, and remained there an hour and a half. General Wag- 
ner then ordered me oft', and as my rear was clearing the hill, was ordered 
back there. Wlien I reached the toj) of the hill I at once discovered heavy 



2>Z^ 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




and parallel columns of infantry approaching rapidly. I was ordered ofl' 
again after sending a number of shell and solid shot at the advancing 
enemy. At about 2:1)0 p. m. the brigade was massed about 200 yards to the 
I'ear of Carter's house, and on the right of Columbia pike, the main line of 
defense crossed this pike just in front of C's. house." 

The stragglers with overloaded 
knapsacks mentioned by Opdj'cke 
were new recruits and members of 
new regiments that joined at Colum- 
l»ia. They had not 3^et learned from 
experience the folly of carrying extra 
clothing or other articles not essen- 
tial to existence, and it is not surpris- 
ing that many of them, exhausted by 
several days of hard w^ork in trenches, 
marching, and loss of sleep, found 
GEOK,,, :MMn.,.,K. i;>is,io,. ^y^^ ^^^^^ strctch froui Columbia to 

Franklin difficult to make. 

The order of march of tlie tirst brigade was in two lines 
•of battle, the lirst line consistino- of the 44th and 73rd Illinois, 
the second of the 125th Ohio, 24th "Wisconsin and 8Gth 
Illinois. The 88th and 74tli Illinois, consolidated, were 
deployed as skirmishers and brought up the rear. The com- 
mand marched in that order in line of battle to Stevens' Hill, 
and from there to town moved on the pike. No tires had 
been permitted at Spring Hill, and owing to the immediate 
.presence of the enemy's cavalry Opdycke's brigade had no 
•opportunity to prepare colfee at Stevens' Hill. Wlien arms 
w^ere stacked inside the works there was an immediate rush 
for fuel, and very soon the odor of frying pork, mingled 
■with the aroma of boiling coffee filled tlie air. The 125th 
Ohio was on familiar ground. No place in the south was as 
well known to our officers and men as Franklin and its vicin- 
ity. We had spent four months there at the beginning of 



BATTLE OF FRAXKLIX. 



Ill 



our career in the field, during which time we helped to con- 
struct the fort, did [ticket duty on every road repeatedly and 
marched in every direction on various expeditions. When 
on picket south of town the officers freciucntly called at the 
Carter residence, and hecame accpuxinted with Mr. Carter 
and his thinghters. His sons were in the Confederate army, 
as were ncarl}' all the ahlc hodied men of the town. Among- 
the very few residents of Franklin who :idhercd to the 
Union was Dr. Clitf and his wife. Colonel 0[)dycke and 
others called at Dr. Cliff's immediately on arriving, hut 
owing to the advance of the enemy could not avail tliem- 
selves of Mrs. Chit's invitation to supper. The li^oth and 
other regiments of Opdycke's brigade were destined to have 
a nesv experience — that of defending a breast work against 
assault after first taking it from the 
enemy. We had assaulted works, 
and had helped build them by the 
mile, but had never yet had the 
opi)ortunity to defend one against 
serious assault. The assault at 
Franklin was nuide b}^ two infantry 
corps and one di\ision of a third 
corps, with cavalr}- upon both flanks, 
about 40,000 men in all, and was re- 
pulsed by about one-fourth that num- 
ber holding breastworks. A more 

determined and persistent effi)rt to '■''"' ^' ^'" "' " 

carry a position was never made. At tlie first onset the as- 
saulting troops carried the works at the center, and Opdycke's 
brigade charged into the breach, re-took the works on its 
front after a fierce struggle, and held them. I'erhaps the 
most satisfactory account of the famous conflict will l)e that 
of the several comnniiulers on the field. We fpiote first from 
the report of General llood : 




334 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



" Stewart's corps was placed in position on the ricrht, Cheatham's on 
the left, and the cavalry oia either flank, the main body of the cavalry on 
the right under Forrest. Johnson's division of Lee's corps, also became 
engaged on the left during the engagement. The line advanced at 4 p. m., 
with orders t6 drive the enemy into or across the Big Harpeth River, while 
General Forrest, if successful, was to cross the river and attack and destroy 
his trains and broken columns. Tlie troops moved forward most gallantly 
to the attack. AVe carried the enemy's first line of hastily constructed 
works handsomely. We then advanced against his interior line, and suc- 
ceeded in carrying it also in some places. Here the engagement was of the 
fiercest possible character. Our men possessed themselves of the exterior 
of the works, while the enemy held the interior. Many of our men were 
killed entirely inside the works. The brave men captured were taken inside 
his works in the edge of the town. The straggle lasted till near midnight, 
when the enemy abandoned his works and crossed the river, leaving his 
dead and wounded in our possession. Never did 
troops fight more gallantly. The works of the 
enemy were so hastily constructed that while he 
had a slight abattis in front of a part of his line 
there was none on his extreme right. During the 
day I was restrained from using my artillerj^ on ac- 
( iiunt of the women and children remaining in the 
tM\vn.'' At night it was massed readj' to continue 
the action in the morning, but the enemy retired. 

" "We captured aboiit one thousand jirisoners 
and several stands of colors. Our loss in killed, 
wounded and prisoners was 4500. Among the killed 
was Maj. Gen. P. R. Cleburne, Brigadier Generals 
Gist, John Adams, Strahl and Granbury. ^lajor 
General Brown, Brigadier Generals Carter, ]Mani- 
gault, Quarles, Cockrell and Scott were wounded, anfl Brigadier General 
Gordon captured." 

The following is from the report of Maj. Gen. David S, 
■Stanley, coniniandino- Foni'th Corps : 

" From 1 o'clock until 4 in the evening the enemy's entire force was 
in sight and forming for attack, yet in view of the strong position we held, 
and reasoning from the former course of the rebels during tliis campaign, 
nothing appeared so improbable as that they would assault. I felt so con- 
fident in this belief that I did not leave General Schofield's headquarters 
until the firing commenced. About 4 o'clock the enemy advanced with 
his whole force, at least two corps, making a bold and pei'sistant assault, 
which, upon a part of the line, lasted about forty minutes. When Wagner's 




Patiui 

Major GciiLTul, (' 



"Part of Hood's artillery was in acli 



BATTLE OF FRAXKLIN. 



335 



ff^i^^ <m1th 



division foil back from the heights south of Franklin, Ojxlycke's Ijrigade 
was placed in reserve in rear of our main line, on the Columbia pike. 
Lane's and Conrad's lirigades were deployed, the former on the right, the 
other on the left of the pike, about three hundred yards in front of the 
main line. Here tiie men, as our men always do, threw up a barricade of 
rails. By whose mistake I cannot tell, it certainly was never a i)art of my 
instructions, but these l)rigades had orders from General Wagner not to 
retire to the main line until forced to do so by the fighting of the enemy. 
The consequence was that the brigades stood their ground until tlie charg- 
ing rebels were almost crossing V)ayf)nots witli them, but tlic lino Ibou 
broke— Conrad's brigade first, then 
Lane's — and men and ofiicers made 
the quickest time they could to oui' 
main lines. The old soldiers all 
escaped, l)ut the conscripts, being 
afraid to run under fire, many of 
them were captured. Conrad's 
brigade entered the main line near 
the Columl)ia pike, Colonel Lane's 
several hundred yards to the right 
of the i>ike. A large proportion of 
Lane's men came back with loaded 
muskets, and turning at the breast- 
works, they fired a volley into thi' 
pressing rebels now not ten steps 
from them. The part of the 
Twenty-third Corps stationed in 
the works for a distance of about 
three (hundred) or four (hundred) 
yards to the right of tlie Columbia 
l>ike, and which space took in the 
1st Kentucky and 6th Ohio Batter- 
ies, broke and ran to the rear witli 
the fugitives from Conrad's brig- 
ade. To add to the disorder the 

caissons of the two batteries galloped rapidly to the rear, and the enemy 
appeared on the breastworks and in possession of the two batteries, which 
they commenced to turn upon us. 

" It was at this moment I arrived at the scene of disoi-der, coming from 
the town on the Columbia pike; the moment was critical beyond any I 
have known in any battle— could the enemy hold that part of the line, he 
was nearer to our two bridges than the extremities of our line. Colonel 
Opydcke's brigade was lying down about one hundred yards in rear of the 
works. I rode tpiirkly to the left regiment and calU'd to them to charge; 
at the same time I saw Colonel Opdycke near the center of his line urging 




.luiiN H. ISl.I.M, A (189.')). 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



his men forward. I gave the Colonel no order, as I saw him engaged in doing 
the very thing to save us, viz to get possession of our line again. The retreat- 
ing men of Colonel Conrad's brigade, and, I believe, the men of the Twentj'- 
third Corps, seeing the line of Opdycke's Ijrigade start for the works, com- 
menced to rally. I lieard the old soldiers call out, "Come on, men, w'e can 
go wherevei- the (xeneral can," and making a rush our men immediately 
retook all the lino, excepting a small j)ortion just in front of the brick house 
on the pike. A force of the rebels held out at this point, and for fifteen oi* 
twenty minutes, supported by a rebel line fifty yards to the rear, poured in 
a severe fire upon our men. So deadly was this fire that it was only by the 
most strenuous exertions of the officers that our men could be kept to the 
line ; our exertions, however, succeeded, and in twenty minutes our front 
was comparatively clear of rebels, who fell back to the position formerly 
h.c'ld by the two brigades of the Second Division in the commencement of 

tlie fight, from whence thej' kept up a fire 
until midnight, when we withdrew. Just 
after the retaking of the line by our troops, 
as I was passing toward the left to General 
Cox's position, my horse was killed, and no 
sooner had I regained my feet than I received 
a musket ball through the back of my neck. 
My wound, ^ however, did not prevent my 
keeping the field, and General Cox kindly 
furnished me a remount. The rapidity of the 
tiring made it very difficult to keep up the 
ammunition, the train being some two miles 
distant on the road to Xashville when the 
little commenced, and our greatest danger 
;it one period of the battle was that we would 
iiiii 111, ,, , , exhaust our ammunition. One hundred wag- 

on loads of ammunition, artillery and musket 
cartridges, were exi)ended in this],short battle, belonging to the ordnance 
train of the Fourth Army Corps ; this train, however, sui)plied in great 
part the wants of the Twenty-third Corps." 

The followinu- is from Colonel Opdycke's report : 

" The men got col lee, and at about 4 i'. m. General Cox sent me a 
re(iuest to have my brigade ready, and I received no other orders till after 
the battle. I was familiar with the whole ground, and knew that Carter's 
hill was the key to it all. Ttie fighting was now heav.v, and I commenced 
moving the command to the left of the pike for greater security to the men 
and for easier maneuvering in case of need. While thus moving, a most 
horrible stami)ede of our front troops came surging and rushing back past 
Carter's house, extending to the right and left of the i)ike. I at first 
thou-dit them oiilv the Second :uid Tliird brigades of our division that were 




BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



337 



left nearly a (jiiarter of a mile to the front with orders to fall back ; hut I soon 
saw that the troops at tlie main works liad left them. When I gave the 
order 'First Brigade, forward to the works!' liayonets came down to a 
charge, the yell was raised, and tlu- regiments rushed most grandly forward, 
carrying many stragglers hack with tiiein. We deployed as we charged, 
which took us up en echelon forwanl on the center. Colonel Smith's two 
regiments leading as follows : 



Coionel Smith. 



■lltli Illinois. 



lL>.>lli Ohio. 



'J-lth AVi.s('oiisiu 



;«;th Illiuois 



" The enemy were following our troops with great celerity and force. 
He was met this side <if Carter's house by our cliarge, and at once put to 
rout with a loss of iJiU prisoners, nineteen of whom were officers, one a 
Colonel, and nine battle flags. A battery, and a section of another, near 
Carter's house w^re abandoned to the enemy in the stampede, and were 
retaken by this charge and worked by the officers and men of this com- 
mand. Om- lines were now restored and the battle raged with indescrib- 
able fury. The enemy hurled his masses against us with seenaing despera- 
tion. Officers devoted their mightiest energies to bringing up the strag- 
glers to the breastworks, and we soon liad the position im})regnable. These 
desperate assaults continued till after dark, when the enemy ceased all 
heavy efTorts against our position. I twice stepped to the front of the 
works on the Columbia pike to see the effect of such fighting. I never saw 
the dead lay near so thick. I saw them upon each other, dead and ghastly 
in the powder-dimmed starlight. My withdrawal was under General 
Cox's instructions, and was accomplished at midnigiit. My pickets, under 
Major Ilolden of the 8Sth Illinois, remained an liour later, wlien lie 
brought them off without annoyance. 



33^ 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




" The brigade lost an aggregate of 216. Its trophies were nine battle 
flags, 394 prisoners, nineteen of whom were officers, retaking a battery and 
a section of another one, and recapturing the colors of a I'egiment of 
another brigade. Manj^ other battle flags were left by the enemy when our 
charge put the enemy to fliglit, but which the men would not stop to pick 
up till after the battle ; in the meantime other troops came uj) and secured 

them. 

" I\ly losses were light, but Ave regimen- 
tal commanders were either killed or disa- 
bled. Among the former I deplore the deatli 
of Lieutenant Colonel Olson, of the 36th Illi- 
nois Veteran Volunteers. He was a ti'ue, noble 
man and a high type of an officer. 

" The oflicers and men all did magnifi- 
cently, but Lieutenant Colonel Smitli was 
consijicuous even among heroes, and his com- 
mand captured five battle flags. Cajitain 
Bates, commanding 125th Ohio, was almost 
l>eyond reach of praise. He did everything 
that he ought, and so did each and all. The 
nation will do them justice ; I cannot. 

" Capt. R. C. Powers, acting Assistant 

Adjutant General, was of eminent service. 

His high judgment and courage were of great 

assistance in the achievements of this momentous day. I respectfully ask 

vour attention to notices of individual gallantry in the sul)ordiuate reports." 

Maj. Arthur McArthur, commanding 24tli Wisconsin, 
was severely wounded, and his successor in command of 
the regiment, Captain Philbrook, was killed. Major 
Motherspaw. 73rd Illinois, was mortally wounded. 

The 125th Ohio left oldiqued in advancing, tlie left 
crossing the pike. At the very m(»ment of starting a can- 
non hall played liavoc with a mule and its cargo of camp 
expiipage that stood at the left of the regiment on the }iike. 
The lirst obstructions encountered in the advance were the 
caissons galloping to the rear. As they came rushing back 
the boys gave way and they went tearing through the ranks. 
The gaps in the ranks were promptly closed. As the line 
ueared the Carter house all but two companies crowded to 
the left, passing in front of the house, in a mixed mass. 



Arthlk McArthcr, Jr., 
Colonel, 24th Wisconsin. 



BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



339 



Companies A and F passed throngli tlie l)ack yard between 
the house and garden. Colonel Smith's command also con- 
verged towards the pike, his left wing l>eing most obstructed 
by retreating troops, the latter surging to the right and left 
away from the iiike the moment they observed Ojidyeke's 
lines advancing. There was a ga[» in the front line of breast 
works on the i>ike, left to permit wagons and artillery to 
pass. In the I'ear of that about twenty-tive j^ards and just 
south of the house was an incomplete barricade crossing 
the pike, and, on a line with that west of the i)ike, the artil- 
lery was stationed behind good earth-works. The tirst 
contest was foi' that interior line and 
the artillery. 

Carter's yai'd and tlie [like were 
crowded with the enemy. Captain 
Bates shouted : " Come on l)oys, we 
have always whipped them and al- 
ways will." The men began firing 
without order at such short range 
that every bullet was effective. There 
was an indescribable melee, at the 
ct)nclusion of wliich tlie 12oth and 
all the rest of 0[»dycke"s regiments 
were at the barricade. 

None of the regiments oceujiied exclusively anything 
like a regimental front at the works, and all were mixed to 
an extent, making it somewhat uncertain what part of the 
line was held by each. A great many officers and men of 
Conrad's brigade joined Opdycke's, going in wherever they 
could find rooni to work. The 44th Illinois on the left of our 
brigade was practically acting with Keilly"s brigade of Cox's 
division, while on our right many of Strickland's officers and 
men soon extricated themselves from the retreating throng 
and returned to the line. Captain Bates reported that the 
36th Illinois was on his rie-ht, the 24th Wisconsin, Colonel 




Sidney mG«ixs. c. 



340 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Smith's comnuiiKl, and the 44th Illinois on his left. Doiiht- 
less their colors were on the works in that order. 

Captain "Wilson Burroughs, who succeeded to the com- 
mand of the 73rd Illinois, when Major Motherspaw was 
wounded, reports that his i-egiment reached the works oil 
the right of the pike in time to save a batteiy left without 
any support. 

From the account given in the history of the regiment 
by Lieutenant Ncwlin, we are unable to determine whetlier 

its flag was to the right or 
left of the 36th Illinois. 

It seems that ( )pdycke, 
who went forward on the 
[like, did not at once observe 
that there wei"e two lines of 
breastworks. General Cox 
-ays, in his report, that 
•• Opdycke, not being per- 
sonally acquainted with the 
lines, was not aware for 
some time that he had not 
reached the first line in 
( 'olonel StricklaiuFs front, 
wlien the outbuildings at 
( 'arter s house prevented 
the line from being dis- 
tinctly seen from the turn- 
; " ' '-''■'■' ' '• ''"'■' " '"^'' '*• pike even if the smoke had 

not foi'med so dark a covering." 

The enemy held the outer line in force, su[)ported by 
a second line a few yards in rear, the doubled lines enabling 
both sides to maintain a terrific musketry fire, the front 
ranks firing while those in rear loaded the pieces. The 
rapidity of the firing exhausted our cartridge boxes in a few 
minutes, but anticipating that result, the soldiers shouted. 




BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



341 



"more cartridges." On the right of the 12.3th, Lieut. D. K. 
Blystone instituted a searcli, and on the left, Lieut. R. C. 
Rice sent Sergeant French, of C, to tind an ordnance wagon. 
The latter started at once, running through Carter's yard. 
At that moment Opdycke was crossing the pike, and seeing 
a man apparently fleeing from the line, intercepted French, 
and with his revolver, now empty, held as a club, was about to 
strike him, failing to recognize in the powder blackened 
soldier before him, one of his very best sei'geants. Lieu- 
tenant Rice noticed ()[tdycke"s movement, and running u) 
said, "This is Sergeant French : he 
is going for cartridges." The car- 
tridges were easily found, as ord- 
nance officers were already hurrying 
the wagons up to convenient [toints 
in rear of the lines. With a line fcuir 
to six men deep and plenty of am- 
munition it was thereafter a hopeless 
fight for the enemy, but their posses- 
sion of a section of the outer line 
of the works seems to have misled 
them and eaused continued;' efforts 
there and at other points. 

We quote further from General Cox's report on 
that [)(»iut : " Tlie smoke and growing darkness decei\ed 
also the enemy, Avho apparently supposed they had gained 
full [)Ossession of our lines in the center, and continued 
to push in fresli masses of troops only to be destroyed or 
captured, for very few went back, insomuch that prisoners 
captured continually exju-essed the utmost surprise, declaring 
that they supposed ami had been informed that our lines 
were occupied b}' their troops Avliich had assaulted before, 
and of whom nothing since had been seen."' 

The extracts we use from the re[>orts of Stanley and 
Opdycke relate [larticularly to the Fourth Corps troops. A 




LiKl T. J. H. Bl.AtKlUiKN (].S9o). 



342 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



good general view of the entire field is given in tlie report of 

General Cox, and the following is from his report : 

" A slight depression beyond the lines held by AVagner's advanced 
brigades prevented the enemy from being seen from our lines till about 
4 o'clock, when the officers on the skirmish line reported him advancing 
in several lines and in very great force. Almost simultaneously with this 
report the two brigades of Wagner's division in front, opened a brisk 
musketry fire, and part of them were seen making a barricade of rails, etc., 
api^arently with a view of endeavoring to make a stand there, though the 
section of ai'tillery retired leisurely within our lines. Before an order 
could reach them they were so hotly engaged that they could not be with- 
drawn in order. The enemy wasted no time in firing, but charged them, 
and being enveloped on the flanks, the two brigades, after a short and 
brave, though useless struggle, broke to the rear in confusion. The momen- 
tary check at the center brought the right wing of the enemy farther for- 
wai'd, and they came on at a double quick with 
trailed arms, some pieces of artillery advancing and 
firing between brigade intervals. As soon as they 
were seen the batteries on our left opened upon 
them, as \vell as the guns in Fort Granger, and as 
they advanced into rifle range of our infantry. Stiles' 
and Casement's brigades opened fire also. The rebel 
lines could now plainly be seen, as well as the gen- 
eral disposition and apparent purpose of their move- 
ment. Their heaviest masses were advancing on 
the line of the Columbia pike, reaching quite to the 
river on our left, the two points of assault at that 
time being ai)i)arently our center and onr extreme 
left ; the latter being the point nearest to our 
l)ridges, Avhich were necessarily much nearer that 
flank (one of tliem being the railroad bridge), and 
that being the line of movement l)y which they would most rapidly have cut 
us ofi' from crossing the river had our lines been broken. The extreme left 
was the portion of our main line first warmly engaged. The enemy 
endeavored to pass up the railroad cut above mentioned, but were enfiladed 
not only by tlie guns in Fort Granger, but by Battery M, Fourth U. S. 
Artillery, and driven from that shelter. Their lines on either side, how- 
ever, advanced steadily. On reaching the Osage orange hedge in front of 
Stiles' left, they first endeavored to force their way through it and pull it 
aside. The tough and thorny nature of the shrub foiled them in this, and 
they attempted tf) file around the hedge by the flank, and under a terrible, 
withering fire from Stiles' and Casement's brigades and the batteries on 
that flank. They soon abandoned tliis eftbrt and most of those remaining 
unhurt lay down behind the hedge, and after keeping up a desultory fire 
for a time, straggled to the rear, singly and in small squads. 




JajMes w. Reilly, 
Brigadier General 



BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



343 



" In front of Stiles' ri,<:iit and Casement's left, the obstructions being 
fewer and more insii,nii(ieant, the enemy advanced rajjidly and in good 
order, though suffering very severely, up to tliel)reastworks and made des- 
perate efibrts to carry them. Their officers sliowed the mo8t heroic 
example and self-sacrifice, riding uj) to our lines in advance of the men, 
cheering them on. One general ofiicer (Adams), was shot down upon the 
parapet itself, his horse falling across the breastworks. In all this part of 
the line our men stood steadily without tlinching, and repulsed the enemy, 
inflicting terrible loss upon him and suffering but little in return. Mean- 
while, in the center, the enemy gained some temporary advantage. When 
the two brigades of Wagner's division, Fourth Corps, broke, the enemy 
were close upon them and followed them in, overtaking and capturing con- 
siderable numbers of the fugitives. Our own men in the lines along the 
center were restrained from firing, in order not to injure those who wre 
retreating, and the enemy were 
thtis enabled to come uj) to the 
breastworks pell iiiell with Wag- 
ner's men, without sufiering loss 
or being seriously exposed to tire. 
Immediately upon the pike the 
crowd of the retreating trooi)S and 
the advancing enemy overwhelmed 
tlie men at the breastworks there, 
and a portion of tlie right of Keilly's 
brigade (Third Division t and most 
of Strickland's brigade (Second Di- 
vision) broke from the first line. 
This was not due altogether to the 
l)ressure upon their immediati' 
front, lint partly also ti) flu- fact 
that the orders given by the otli- 
cers to the rear of Wagner's divis- 
ion coming in from the front to 
rally at the rear, were supi)osed by 
many of the men in the lines to 
apply to them also. When tlu' 
two brigades of Wagner's were 
first seen to be compromised by 
getting seriously engaged, as a provision against <langer in the center I had 
ordered Opdycke's )>rigade to be ready to charge uji to the lines instantly 
if there should be any confusiim there. This brigade was now ordere<I up, 
and came up the turnpike in the most gallant manner; Keilly's rushed 
forward at the same moment. 

" ]Major Oeneral Stanley, commanding Fourth Corjjs, who had been ill 
during the prior part of the day, came on the field on hearing the sound of 




Cai.ii: I-"i:kn( II, 1! ( isca 



344 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



battle, and arrived in time to take an active part in the efibrt to rally 
Wagner's men, but was soon wounded and his horse shot under him. The 
most strenuous eflbrts were made by all otticers along that part of the line 
to rally the men, and were so far successful that the line was quickly 
restored on the left of the turnpike, and after a sharp struggle on the right 
of Strickland's brigade also, though the enemj'- continued to occupy in 
some force a portion of the outside of the parapet on Strickland's left for a 
distance of about one regimental front. Opdycke's brigade occupied the 
second line, which at that point was not over twenty-five yards in rear of 
the first, and under cover of the smoke, strengthened a barricade and 
breastwork which had l)een before there." 

The statemeut in General Cox's report that "Reillj's 
brigade rushed forward at the same moment " (with Op- 
dycke's) needs expUmation. 

The General, evidently, does not refer to Reilly's regi- 
ments in the front line, for he says that on the right of Reilly's 
line they were overwhelmed and broke from the line. He 
does refer, probably, to two of Reilly's regiments, the 12th 
and 16th Kentucky, that were in reserve; 
and those regiments did advance without 
waiting for orders, the moment their com- 
manders saw the necessity for so doing. 
Lieut. Col. L. H. Rousseau, commanding 
the 12th Kentuck}^ reported: "I ob- 
served the line of works at and near the 
old cotton gin, in the angle of the line, 
l)eing abandoned by our troops; seeing 
the danger, and well knowing the disas- 
trous consequences that would follow if 
the enemy should gain the works at this 
point, I ordered the regiment, on my own responsibility, for- 
ward to the works. Upon our arrival at that point, I found 
a sufficient extent of the line abandoned into which to throw 
my whole regiment. The enemy had possession of the out- 
side of the works, their officers calling on them to hold the 
works, 'that they had them, if they knew it." Their colors 
were planted on our works, and a number of their men had 




N. C. M( Lkax, 
Brigariier Geueral. 



BATTLE OF FRANK UN. 



345 



gained the top ;iiitl iw-vX down into oiir I'anks — cwii bayoiietH 
and cluljbed imi-skets were used. After a severe struggle, we 
gave the enemy a eheck, and our line was becoming stronger 
and stronger every moment l)y tiie return of those who luid 
at tirst abandoned them." 

Coh-tnel Sterl, commanding the 104th Ohio, rejxu-ted that 
only three comjiauies of his regiment k^ft the works, and that 
tlie 12tli and KItli Iveutucky joined liis men in retaking them. 

Lieut. Coh J. !S. White, commanding 
the 16th Kentucky, reported that his regi- 
ment was in reserve on tlie east side of 
the }tike, and "ol)serving a portion of tlie 
line in front give way I ordered my regi- 
ment to charge the enemy, who were oc- 
cupying the works so abandoned, whi^-h 
it did, engaging them in a haiKl-to-haiid 
contlict.'" He does not state at what 
point in the line his men reached the 
works, but from the re[iort of Ci>l. 
K. L. Hayes, 100th Oliio, we learn that it was on his front. 

Colonel Hayes says: "The battery men deserting their 
pieces, a sjtace was left around the guns between my right and 
left, which was tilled by some men tVom the Sixteenth Ken- 
tucky.'" He also states that the 44th Illinois (of Opdycke's 
brigade) charged with his men and forced the enemy back 
l>eyoml the woi'ks, but neither Colonel Hayes (U- his brigade 
comnuinder. General Reilly, acknowledge assistance from 
other regiments of Opdycke's brigade. 

Lieut. Col. .lohn Husscll, commanding the 44tli Illinois, 
reported as follows : 

" When we were onlereil forward, the enemy lia<l driven our forces in 
on tlie center and had jilanteil their colors on our works. Wc cliarLn'<l for- 
ward, drove the enemy l)ack, and replanted our colors on the works. As we 
did so, a good many fugitives that liad been driven l>ack were rallied and 
went forward with us. The enemy had captured all that was left of our 
Inittery, and as we rushed forward they forced a ]iart of the men belonging 




Wll.l.lA.M HiTiu.s-. A ilsuj) 



;46 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



to the battery over the works with them. This battery was afterward worked 
by some men of my own regiment. After being driven back, the enemy 
occupied the outer portion of our works for over two hours, when they sur- 
rendered. Our colors suffered very much from the terrible fire of the 
enemy, the flag-staffs were partially cut away in several places, and the flags 
badly cut and torn. The prisoners captured numbered 83, who reported that 
they were all that was left of the three regiments they belonged to. Among 
them were tlie Colonel and a Captain of the Eighth Mississippi, and Capt. 
G. W. Covell, Company E, Third ^Missouri. The two former surrendered to 
me and I received their swords, and Captain Covell surrendered to Sergt. 
Israel P. Covey, of Company B. They were sent to the rear in charge of 
Lieut. Lewis C. Mills, of Company C, who delivered 
tliem over to the Colonel of an Ohio regiment in the 
Twenty-third Cor^js." 



Colonel Russell's report, together 
with those of Reilly and his regimental 
eonnnanders, show quite clearly what 
A *li^^L was done by the left iiank regiment of 

f^^^JSj^^/M Opdycke's brigade, and also about where 
^^^^^^j^^^l Opdycke's left flank rested in the recov- 
i^^^^— ^^^^B ered works. The battery retaken by 
H. M. DANLEY, E (189.:,). Colonel Russell's charge was the one 
posted in the rear of the center of the 100th Ohio, and oc- 
cupied a front equal to three companies. 

There is an apparent coniiict between the statement ot 
General Cox that Opdycke's brigade Avas ordered up, and that 
in Opdycke's report that he received no orders. The fact is, 
that General Cox sent an order as soon as he observed con- 
fusion at the center, but by the time the messenger could have 
reached the pike Opdycke was in person in the midst of the 
tierce struggle in front of Carter's house, with his own corps 
commander. General iStanley, near by, and the message was 
not delivered.* 

It is somewhat remarkable under the circumstances that 
neither Colonel Strickland, commanding the brigade in 
Ruger's division immediately on the west side of the pike, 



*Sce "FnuiUlin luul Niisliville," by Cox, page 89. 



BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



347 



all of whose regiments were swept conipleteiy out of their 
lilies, nor any of his regimental commanders, make any refer- 
ence in their reports to Opdycke's brigade. From those 
reports alone the reader would he led to believe that Strick- 
land's men recovered their entire line Ijy their own unaided 
ettbrts. General linger, their division commander, however, 
did acknowledge Opdycke's presence and assistance. He 
reported : 

" At the first onset of the enemy the left of the hne, held by the 
Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers and the .Seventy-second Illinois \'olunteers, fell 
back some fifty yards from the l>reast\vorks, at which ])Osition they were 
rallied and maintained a firm stand, holding this new position, which was 
hastily intrenched during the intervals of the fighting. The enemy got 
possession of the outer portion of the breastworks, and apparently would 
have swept the line l)ack and gaine<l strong 
hold of the keypoint of iiur lines, had it not 
been for the timely assistance received liy 
that portion of the Hne by other troops, i)ai'- 
ticularly a brigade of the Fourth Corps, 
commanded by Colonel Opdycke." 

Strickland's brigade was in a 
most unlucky situation at the begin- 
ning of the fight. They could not lire 
u[ion the enemy because Conrad's 
bi'igade was retreating between them 
and the enemy. The abattis in front 
of the works though not formidable 
was sufficient to retard Conrad's and 
Lane's men in retreating and turn them towards the opening 
at the pike. When they carne in the enemy's men were at 
their heels and were pouring through the opening on the pike 
before a shot could be tired to check them. If Strickland's 
front line had not retreated it would have been captured. 
Nearly 300 of them were captured. Tlie two regiments in 
Strickland's second line were under tire for the first time, and 
cannot be blamed for giving way wlien the veterans in their 




William IHnkki:. I (1805). 



348 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



front came surging back upon them. The brigade lost 
nearly 300 in killed and wounded, among the wounded being 
the Lieutenant Colonel and Major of the 72nd Illinois, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Clark, of the 183rd Ohio. 

Why were Wagner's two brigades left in front of the 
works after all other troops and trains were safely in ? After 
forcing the enemy to deploy at Stevens' Hill, they could have 
gone in, leaving skirmish lines to report the enemy's move- 
ments. General Wagner prol>ably shared the opinion of his su- 
perior oihcers, that Hood having declined to assault the works 
at Columbia, would not assault them at Franklin, but would 
try another flank movement, having roads at his right lead- 
ing to Brentwood, and the Harpeth being easier to i)ass than 

Huck River. It Avas, however, desir- 
able, to keep the enemy at a distance 
to facilitate the withdrawal to the 
north bank of the stream. That 
movement had been ordered to com- 
mence at 6 p. M. It was all right 
to leave the troops out. The mis- 
take was in not withdrawing them 
promptly when Hood's 40,000 ad- 
vanced. Who was to blame for fail- 
ing to do so? The official reports 
throw some light on the su1>ject. 
BRIO. GEN. Josh,.,, conk.vd. ^j^.^^. General Stanley reported that 

it was not a part of his instructions for tliose brigades to 
remain out until forced to retreat V)y the fighting of the 

enemy. 

General Wagner reported : " The commanders of the 
Second and Third Brigades, Colonels Lane and Conrad, were 
now directed to hold their position long enough to develop 
the force of the enemy, but not to attempt to fight if threat- 
ened by the enemy in too strong a force." General Cox 
.reported that at three o'clock " the order was tlien reiterated 




BATTLE OF FRAXKIJN. 



34^ 



to General Wauin_'i- to witlidiaw tiie hi-iii-adrs whenever tlie 
enemy appeared to be advancing in decidedly .su])eri<)r force, 
without allowing his troops to become seriously engaged."' 

Colonel Lane re[u)rte(l : " Witli my skirmisii line and 
a section of artillery posted on Stone Hill, I retarded the 
advancing column until I received orders, and withdrew my 
command to a position one-tliird of a mile in advance of the 
main line of works nn the I'ight of the Third Brigade. I 
here received orders to give battle to the enemy, and, if able, 
drive him otf; if overpowered, to check him as long as pos- 
sible, and then retire to the main line of works. 

Colonel Conrad rei)orted : * * * '• tlie General 
(Wagner) came u[i and gave me orders to hold the line as 
long as possible."' '•' -^ * About 3:80 i". m., and as the 
men were very busily engaged in 
throwing up a work, the enemy, 
who had Iji'cn forming his lines in 
front ot iny line, commenced advanc- 
ing on us. Tliey advanced very 
slowly and steadily and in three lines 
of l)attle ; they drove my pickets in, 
and just as the enemy got within 
good musket range a statf officer of 
the General commanding the divis- 
ion rode up to me and said that the 
General ordered that if the enemy 
came on me too strong, and in such •'^"'-'' ^^'"^'"|>>' '■ 'i"^"" 
force as to over})ower me, tliat I should retire my line to the 
rear of the main line of works, which were about a quarter of 
a mile in my rear, but as the enemy was so close to me, and 
one-half of my men were recruits and drafted men, and know- 
ing that if I then retired my lines my men would become very 
unsteady and confused, and perhajis })anic stricken, I con- 
cluded to tight the enemy on the line I tiien was, so 1 order- 
ed the men to commence lirinu-."' 




350 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

Wh}' tin ottieer of Conrad's pluck and experience 
should hesitate to make even a disorderly retreat when the 
occasion seemed to demand it, is not satisfactorily explained. 
Perhaps he thought, as most fighting Colonels did think, 
that he could retreat just as well after he was whipped as be- 
fore, and doubtless expected his men to enter the works 
easilj^ in advance of the enemy, and he certainly had a 
right to expect that the troops in the works would at 
least double tiles and leave spaces through which his men 

with empty guns could pass 
to tlie rear. There was 
plenty of time while the 
troops in front were run- 
ning back to the works to 
arrange for their entr^' with- 
out producing panic among 
the men behind the works, 
but nothing contained in 
the reports indicate that 
anything of that kind was 
attempted. Possibly otHcers 
in the works could not see 
the enemy's pursuing line, 
l)ut they could not well fail 
to see the danger of con- 
fusion in their own lines if 
they failed to provide open- 
ings for the fugitives to pass through. 

However, it is not our province to criticise. The main 
purpose of tliis account is to show the heroic work of 
Oydycke and his brigade, and that is established beyond all 
(piestion by tlio reports from which w^e quote. It does not 
-appear from the reports, but is a fact well known to First 
Bri2:ade men that General Wagner intended to halt 
Opdycke's brigade with the others of his division, in front 




.1 A.MI> r. l\A.M>K"l , A \ l^'.i 



BATTLE OF FRA.YK/JX 



151 



of the works, and would have done so but for Opdycke's 
very vigorous protest. Wagner met Opdycke as he was 
coming in on the pike, and as tliey rode ak)ng together, 
spoke of the hittei' forming with kaiie and Conrad, l)ut on 




I may not see you again. 

The foHowing congratulatory order was read to tlie 
conmiand at Xashville : 



FlKST JjKKiADE, HeC'OND DIVISION", ForUTII AlJ.MV CoRI's. \ 

Nashville, Tenx., Der. 10, l,sr)4. J 
Officers and ,Soldicrs of the First Brigade: 

Your recent achievements in the terrH>li' li:ittle:<>l' Franklin, com 
mand my profound thanks and admiration. 
AVhen the furious masses of the enemy had 
stormed and carried our main works at Ww 
key point of our whole i)osition, and were 
driving our other forces in confusion, you 
rushed grandly and defiantly forward, your 
l)ayonets gleaming in the sunlight, assailed 
the victorious foe, crushing him beneath your 
mighty energies, ca})tured ?/J4 prisoners, lit of 
whom were officers, 9 re])el battle flags, re- 
took the colors of a regiment belonging to a 
less fortunate but friendly brigade, retook S 
pieces of artillery and worked tliem with 
awful havoc on the deep columns of the en- 
emy, restored our lines, ami saved the army 
from disastrous overthrow. (Jenerals Wag- 
ner, Cox. Wood, Stanley and Schofield eaeli 
iiave asserted tluit the " First Brigade saveil tlie day." and even the immor- 
tal Thomas saiil, " From wliat they tell nie, Colnnel, vour lirigade savc^d 




.IKIT. \\ll,l.l \M II. CltoWKI.I.. 



Shoulder to shoulder, disci])iine and valor must always triumi)h. 
Your fame is high ; defend it and maintain it or die gloriously in the efibrt. 
It is an honor to belong to the First Brigade. Let us nnngle our tears over 
our fallen comrades, 

Emersox Oi'oycke, 

Colonel, Commanding. 



;52 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Lieut. Col. George W. Smith, 88th Illinois, and Capt. 
E. P. Bates, commanding 12oth Ohio, were each given the 
brevet rank of Colonel by President Lincoln, to date from 
tlie battle of Franklin. 

General Thomas recommended Opdycke for promotion 
and stated his reasons as follows : 

" At tlie battle of Franklin, Opdj'cke displayed the very highest quali- 
ties as a commander. It is not saying too much to declare that but for 
the skillful disijositions made by Colonel Opdycke (all of which was done 
entirely on his own judgment), the promptness and readiness with which 
he brought his command into action at the critical and decisive moment, 
and the signal personal gallantry displayed in a counter assault on the 
enemy, when he had broken our lines, disaster instead of victory would 
have fallen on us at Franklin."* 



It is doubtful if in any battle of modern times there 
were anything like the number of hand-to-hand personal 

encounters that occurred at Frank- 
lin. 

The reports are full of incidents 
that would be considered incredible 
if they were not ofhcially reported 
b\- officers who witnessed them. We 
quote a few of them : 

Captain Parsons, commanding* 
the 24th Wisconsin after Maj. Arthur 
McArthur was wounded, reported, 
" One of my sergeants received a 
severe wound in the head from a 
saber in the hands of a rebel ofticer." 
Lieutenant Colonel Learning, of the 40th Indiana, re- 
ported that Private O'Riley met a color bearer of the enemy's 
force at Carter's house, and running him tlirough with his 
bayonet carried off his flag in triumjih. 




Col. Milton Baknes. '.(Ttli O. V I. 



*Copie(l from Newlin's hi.stor.v of TUr.l riliii.ii>;, \\. lii; 



BATTLE OF FRANKLIN. 



153 



Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes, of the 97tli Ohio, re}»orted 
that Sergeant Ransbottom wrested a Has; from the hands of a 
rebel color bearer and carried it from the ticld. 

Major Atwater, of the 42d Illinois, reported that one of 
his recruits, Corp. John H. Smith, shot a color bearer and 
secured his flag. 

Lieut. Col. R. C. Brown, of the 64th Ohio, reported a 
hand-to-hand encounter between Lieut. C. M. Gowino- and a 
stalwart rebel, who had entered the 
works, in wliich the Lieutenant was 
victor. 

Lieut. A. P. Baldwin, of the 6th 
Ohio Battery, reported that Private 
Steinbaugh killed a daring rebel 
with an ax. 

Considering the work done, the 
losses in killed and w^ounded in Op- 
dycke's brigade were remarkably 
light — 18 oflicers and 217 men, of 
whom 24 w^ere from the 125th 
Ohio, according to the otiicial i-e- 
port. Eight others were missing in 
the 125th who were afterwards found to have been killed 
or wounded. 

Capt. Robert B. Stewart, of Company B, was killed at 
the beginning of the fight, near Carters house. Lieut. B. K. 
Blystone was shot through the left lung while overseeing the 
distribution of ammunition near the smoke house in Carter's 
yard. Lieutenant Payne was the only other officer in the 
125th severely wounded. The following enlisted men of the 
125th arc known to the writer to have been killed or wounded : 

Killed : Sergt. James M. Murdock, of B ; Hiel lliggins, 
of C; Joseph Bryant, of G; Corp. Alpha Large, of H; 
Thomas Jacobs, of E. 




('APT. A. I'. ]5aI.I'\VI.\, 

Oth Ohio Light Artillery. 



354 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Wounded : Corp. William Huttoii and James P. Ram- 
sey, of A ; George Miirdock, of B ; Howard Bascom and 
James Corcoran, of C ; James Be.ifgs and David Keck, of D ; 
Corp. Kiel M. Danley, of E; Corp. James Willemin, of F; 
Thomas R. Hanna, of G ; Sero;!. Charles Mailer, of II: James 
W. Hair, Isaac Gibson, Edward Hatfield, Daniel Richardson, 
William Dunker and Andrew J. Conch, of I; Sergt. Josiah 
W. Morgan, William Welling and Whitlield Andre, of Iv. 

James H. Jackson, of H, was captured hy the enemy. 
Harrison Lee, of I, whose real name is Alfred L. Gilpin, was 
also captnred. John Young, of I, was missing. 

The assaidts of the enemy be- 
came less persistent after dark. Fir- 
ing was kept up until 10 o'clock. At 
11 p. M. the 125th was withdrawn a 
few rods to the rear, and at midnight 
marched for Nashville at the head 
of tlie brigade, and the brigade being 
the first in the army. The artillery 
had been first withdrawn to the north 
bank, and the infantry withdrew at 
midnight, lea\ing pickets, but all got 
away without Ijeing interrupted by 
the enemy. Doubtless the enemy's 
troops were too much exhausted to make an effective pursuit. 
General Woijd's division of the Fourth Corps reuiained 
upon the noi'th l)ank until ail other troops were on the I'oad. 
At 10 A. M. December 1, the 125th entered Nashville. Offi- 
cers and men were nearly worn out. Before night all the 
infantry were in and Fcn-rest was }»ressing Wilson's cavalry 
on all the roads leading to the city. We close the account 
by another extract froni the report of General Stanley: 

"The inarch wa.-- continued to Nashville without interruption; the 
troop« made a ^^hort halt at Brentwood to get breakfast and allow the trains 
to move on. Our men were more exhausted physically than I have ever 
seen them on anv other occasion. From November L>o, when we left 




iE 11. \ ai.i.axiun(;ha:\i. H. 



EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 



355 



Pulanki, until arriving at Naislivillr Wf hail been i-onstantly in the iiniuudiate 
presence of an enemy we knew to be vastly superior to us in numbers, closely 
watching to take us at a disadvantage. With us both mind and body were 
kept at full stretch, and it was only by night marching and the constant use 
of intrenchments that we could hope to save ourselves. Many of our men 
Avere overtaxed and broke down ; unable to ti'avel any longer, they fell into 
the hands of the enemy. ( )n two occasions the enemy was very near obtain- 
ing what he sought of us. the lirst was when Cox drove back his advance 
just about entering Columbia; the second and greatest escape for us was at 
Spring Hill, where, with a whole •■ori)s in line of l^attle, the left of tiie line 
within 600 yards of the mad, they allowed all our army, excei)ting Wagner's 
division, which had fought them during the <lay, to i>ass them with imj)unity 
in tlie night." 

EXTR.\CTS FH():\I DIAKY. 

December 1, 1804. — Halted one mile out of Nasliville, 
near Fort JN^egley. l)i-e\v rations ; potatoes and tisli issued ; 
something new in our experience, but acceptable. We have 
lost from the rolls in November, by discharge for wound, 
Johnsons Sims, of F ; l»y diseliarge for disability, William 
Mcllenry of I, and by transfer to 
Veteran Reserve Corps, William Iv 
Davis, of I), and George Pfafl", of J). 
Second Lieut. Josiali H. Blackbui-n 
has been promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant of F. 

December 2. — Reinforcements 
are arriving — Sixteenth Army Corps 
from ^Fissouri, and General Steed- 
man, with colored troops and detach- 
ments belonging to Shernuurs army, 
from Chattanooga. We moved this 
evening to the position assigned in 
the lines aljout Xashville, and camped one-half mile inside 
of the works near and to the right of Hillsboro pike. 

When the brigade was in line ready to march from Fort 
ISTegley, Major General Thomas, accompanied by Generals 
Thomas J. Wood, and George 1). AVagner, rode up, and Gen- 




?ER(iT. Al.IJEKT MaTHKWS. B(1S<J0) 



356 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



eral Thomas addressed each regiment of OpdjT-ke's brigade, 
praising and thanking officers and men for what he was 
pleased to call heroic conduct in the battle of Franklin. One 
hundred years hence our descendants will be quite as proud 
of that incident as are those whose ancestors won praise and 
medals under Frederick the Great or jSTapoleon. Worked 
all night on fortifications, in reliefs, two hours at work and 
four hours olf. 

December 3. — General Stanle3''s wound compelled him 
to go north for treatment. Gen. 
Thomas J. Wood succeeds to com- 
mand of the Fourth Corps, and Gen. 
Samuel Beatty to Wood's division. 
General Wagner also goes north and 
Brig. Gen. Washington L. Elliott lias 
Ijeen assigned to command our di- 
vision. The enem}^ have closed w\> 
towards our lines and are intrenclj- 
ing. We moved our camp close up 
to the breastwork. Skirmishing and 
artillery fire, most severe in front of 
r.viT. w. s. WILLIAMS, (1894). Beatty's division, next on our left. 

Capt. E. G. Whitesides, who has been Division Provost 
Marshal has been assigned as Assistant Adjutant General on 
General Elliott's stafi'. Major Brutt" came up and assumed 
command of the regiment. 

December 4 (Sunday). — Stood to arms before daylight. 
1^0 work to-day. Divine services at 10 a. m., conducted by 
Chaplain Lewis. Our sutler came to the camp and set u]) 
liis tent. Artillery firing all afternoon. 

December 5. — A detail from the 125th on picket was sent 
to destroy a liouse^between the lines. They advanced under 
fire, keeping under cover as much as possible, set fire to the 
building and returned without casualty. 





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EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 



157 



Genei'al Elliott and C'oloiu'l ()|i(]ycke were on the jiieket 
line. Opdycke went outside oiii' lines with an orderly, to get 
a better view of tlie enemy's hne. 

Decendjer 0. — Our baggage came to the regiment, wome 
things we had not seen since Ai)i"ih Colonel 0[)dycke, with 
one orderly, Clay C. Searight, brigade color bearer, was out- 
side tlie lines, studying the enemy's position, and ran upon a 
(^)nlederate picket post uiiawari's. The enemy tired iijion 
them at a distance of a few 
yards, hut missed. They 
were, no doubt, themselves 
taken l)y sur[»rise, and may 
have thought the Colonel 
was charging them at the 
liead of liis regiment. Not 
much tiring on our lines to- 
(hiy. Distant cannonading 
heard, reported to be l)y 
gunV)oat5. 

December 7. — The ene- 
my are reported to he ex- 
tending their fortified line 
to tlieii' left. About noon the 
Aveather turned cold, wind 
from the north. 

J)ecembei' 8. — Cold 
winds from north. It is win- 
ter here the same as in Ohio at this season. At noon the enemy- 
drove our pickets back at right of Twenty-third Corps, and 
left ot Fourth Coi'jis. This evening it is sai<l oui- division, 
supported by First and Third Divisions of Fourth Corps, will 
assault the enemy's works nortlieast of the llillsl)oro }tike, 
the assault to i)e nuide on the 10th, and the Sixteentli Corps 
to follow up tlie movement. 




-i;ai:ii.iit. I-' i 1^ 



35i 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



December 9. — Rain followed by sleet and snow. The 
order for a movement to-morrow is suspended. 

December 10. — Snow and frozen sleet covers the ground. 
Horses can liardly travel oft" the beaten path. 

December 11 (Sunday). — Very cold. Ko religious ser- 
vices. 

December 12. — Still cold, Init the sun shines. 




LiEiT. Ai.f:\'. II. PosTi.KWAiT. K and K (is!>5). 



BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 



359 



December 13. — The cold l)last from tlie frozen iiortli has 
ceased, wind shifted, coming from the southeast, and ice is 
melting. Cam}> life and picket duty has been decidedly dis- 
agi'eeable for a few days past. 

December 14. — Wet and muddy. A good many l'25th 
men have returned from hospital or home. Lieut. Alex. II. 
Postlewait, came from Ohio, recovered from his wound. 
Henry H. Adams, of G, who has been living in Confederate 
prisons since September, was ex'changed and canR' \\\> to-day. 
It is common talk tliat we ai'e to light Hood to-ni(ti"i'(»w. 

BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 



General Thomas' force consisted of A. J. Smith's corps 
(Sixteenth), three divisions, 12,000 men ; General Steed- 
man, two brigades of colored troops and one of men 
belonging to Sherman's army, 5000 ; the garrison at !Nash- 
ville, 6000 infantry and artillery ; the 
Fourth Corps, 15,000, and the Twenty- 
third Corps, 10,000, and the cavahy. The 
employes of the Quartermaster's depart- 
ment, numbering several thousand, were 
organized and armed, giving Thomas an 
aggregate of about 50,000 infantr}^ and ar- 
tillery. Hood, after deducting losses at 
Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin could 
only muster 44,000, and although still su- 
perior in cavahy, he was no longer in con- 
dition after the battle of Franklin to jirosecute an offensive 
campaign. But he wanted the moral effect of threatening 
Nashville, and moved forward without delay. General 
Thomas thought best to delay offensive movements for a few 
days to refit generally, and especially to equi[) and remount 
the dismounted cavalry. 




Ma.I. liKN. A. J. S.MITH 



360 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



The government and General Grant were urgent in 
their demands for a prompt offensive movement. They 
did not like the moral effect of a transfer of the scene of 
hostilities from Atlanta back to Nashville, after eighteen 
months of campaigning and fighting, and all the sacrifices 
made to drive the enemy step by step from Mnrfreesboro to 
Atlanta, and they were apprehensive of almost irreparable 
injury to the railway lines if Hood was allowed to intrench 
and then detach his cavalry on raids. The difference of 
opinion as to the proper time to fight almost cost Thomas 
his command. He was ready to move by the 10th, but was 
then delayed until the 15th by the ground being covered 
with ice. On the 13th General John A.Logan was ordered 
to jS^ashville to supercede Thomas, but went reluctantly and 
on arriving at Louisville heard of the success of the fighting- 
on the loth, and readily obtained permission to turn back. 
Thomas' forces were in position, Smith's 
corps on the right, its right resting on the 
river, three miles below the city, and his 
left near the Hillsboro pike, two and one- 
half miles from the city, that cori)S hav- 
ing a front of three miles. The Fourth 
Corps was in the center, joining Smith 
on the right and the Twenty-third Corps 
on the left, a lew hundred yards east of 
the (xranny White pike, the latter corps 
carrying the line tlience to the Nolens- 
ville pike. General Steedman's command 
was at Schofield's left, and cavalry at Steedman's left carried 
the line to the river above the city. 

Hood placed Lee's corps in the center across the Frank- 
lin pike, with CHieathanrs cor[)S on the right and Stewart's 
on the left, his cavalry extending the line to the river below 
the city. Both armies were intrenched. Hood had sent a 
division of infantry and two divisions of cavalry to operate 




josiAH w. MoRi.-AN, (i?or^ 

Sergeant, K. 



BATTLE OF XASHVILLE. 



361 




against tla- railroad and Murfreesboro, but they failed to do 
uuR'li daniau-e and had the worst of the tightiiig when n)et 
by Milroy with a part of the garrison of Murfreesboro. 
Those operations east of Nashville left only Chabiier's 
division of cavalry oj^xtsite the Sixteenth Corps and deter- 
mined the plan ot battle adopted by Thomas, which was a 
grand left wlicel, pivoting on the left of the Fourth Corps, 
by which ILood was to be turned out 
of his intrenched line. Forrest did not 
return in time to })articipate in the l)attle. 

To divert the enemy's attention from 
the real line of attack, General SteiMlnian 
moved out lirst, on the morning of De- 
cember 15, east of the Xolensville pike, 
attacking and di'iving the enem^y's out- 
posts with such vigor as to cause rein- 
forcements to be sent from Hood's center 
and left towards his right. 

In that movement the brigades commanded respectively 
by Col. T. J. Morgan and Lieut. Col. Chas. H. Grosvenoi-, first 
drove in the pickets and assaulted the enemy's line between 
the railway and turnpike from Xashville to Murfreesboro, 
then re-formed and attacked near the Rains house, gaining 
a desirable position which they held. At the same time the 
other brigade (colored troops), under Col. Charles Thomp- 
son, carried and held part of the enemy's line near N'olens- 
ville pike. 

The Fourth Cor[)S moved out of the works at 6 a. m., 
formed and waited for the Sixteenth Corps to swing around 
into i»osition. Our divisi(Ui was on the right of the corps, 
and Opdycke's brigade on the right ot the division. Lane's 
brigade on our left and Coni-ad's in reserve. V\\ our brigade 
tlie 44tli Illinois held the works, sendiug a heavy detail to 
reinforce the picket line, which acted as a skirmish line. The 
74th and <S8th Illinois acting as one l)attalion was on the rio-jit,. 



E. C. Wai-tuai.i.. 
Major Genunil, C. S. A. 



362 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



.and the 125tli Ohio on the left in the front line, the 36th and 
■73rd Illinois and 24th Wisconsin in the second line. 

The Second Division of the Sixteenth Corps, Brig. Gen. 
Kenner Garrard commanding, was next on our right. Gar- 
rard moved out on the Hardin pike and then by the left flank 
'Until he connected with our right. The First Division of the 
^Sixteenth Corps moved out on tiie Charlotte pike, met with 
serious I'esistance and fought its way into position at the right 
of Garrard. Smith's Third Division was at first in reserve in 
rear of the other two. 

The cavalry under General Wilson moved last, passing 
in rear of tlie infantry lines to the right flank. 

At 10 A. M. the line advanced, under orders to keep con- 
nected to tlie left and guide right, making a grand left wheel. 
The skirmishers became engaged at once, and the artillery 
from both sides opened. Smith's corps 
came upon the enemy's outlying works 
half a mile soutli of Hardin pike, two 
small earthworks on neigliboi'ing hills, 
four guns in one and two in the other; 
l>rought up four batteries to play on them, 
and when their fire slackened ordered an 
assault, which was made by W. L. McMil- 
lan's brigade, supported by Hubbard's 
brigade, Wilson's cavalry charging at the 
same time and entering one of the forts 
from the I'ight as McMillan entered from 
the front. They captured the guns and artillerymen. 

About noon, the Fourth Corps swung up to the base of 
Montgomery Hill, which was encircled near its summit by a 
strong intrenchment, in front of wliich was an abattis and 
rows of sharpened stakes planted in the ground. Our artil- 
lery came up and opened heavily, and at 1 p. m. Post's brigade 
of Beatty's division, supported by Straight's, assaulted and 
.carried the hill. The entire corps continued to press forward 









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K<..-.,.....»^ 



K i:n n 1:1: I . \i;i: A iid, 
lii\'\et Mtijor (.ciu'ial 



BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 



l^l 



driving the enemy's skirniisliers from one position after an- 
other. About 4 p. M., after a heavy cannonading, Kimball's 
■division assaulted a strongly fortified hill on its front near 
the center of Wood's line. Our division on Kimball's right 
and Beatty's on the left, entered their works at the same 
time, all capturing guns and }irisoners and sustaining light 
losses. 

The Twenty-third Cor[>s was held in reserve in rear of 
the Fourth Corps until after the first successes, and was then 
sent to the right of the Sixteenth Corps, and both Smith and 
Schofield pressed on, gaining ground until night ended the 
eonflict. The enem}' were turned out of 
the left one-half of their intrenched line, 
and retreated eastward toward the Frank- 
lin pike. In the night they fell back to 
a new line. 

Just before dark Opdycke's brigade 
having orders to pursue (together with 
other troops) mo\'ed forward, encountered 
the enemy after crossing the Granny White 
pike, and halted for the night, by that 
move passing from the right to the left of 
our division. 

Hood's intrenched line had a front facing north two 
and one-half miles, his refused right fiank facing east half a 
mile and his refused left facing west for the same dis- 
tance, making his line three and one-half miles in extent. 
Smith's corps a})proached the line with his right crossing the 
Oranny Wliite [)ike ; Wood's corpsapproachcd witii his left di- 
vision east of the Franklin pike ; Schofield came up on Smith's 
right, swinging forward against the enemy's refused left fiank. 
The cavalry was on Schofield's right. Steedman crossed trom 
the Nolensville pike to Wood's left. Orders for the 16th 
required a general advance at daylight, to attack the enemy 
if found in the position he occupied at nightfall; if the 




Wll.l.IA.M \V. I,ui;iN(i, 
^lajor ( ieiicral. ('. S. A. 



3^4 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



enemy had fallen l)ack to pursue at once. Opclyeke's brigade 
was ordered to advance east to the Franklin pike, then to 
turn south with the left at the pike, the riglit connecting 
with our second brigade. The 24th Wisconsin was on the 
skirmish line. In changing front to the south at the pike 
the second brigade onl}- left room for Opdycke to deploy two 
regiments on the front line. The 36th and 44th Illinois went 
to the front. The 125th was in the second line, and remained 
there until after the grand assault on the enemy's works in 
the afternoon, then went to the front and acted as skirmish- 
ers in the pursuit. The entire army advanced earh^ in the 
morning, driving the enemy's skirmishers easily for about 
two miles, when they halted l)ehind a 
l)arricade three-fourths of a mile from 
their main line and made a stout resist- 
ance. The lines were then adjusted, 
some commands having advanced more 
rapidly than others. When all was 
ready the lines advanced, swept the ene- 
my's skii-mishers out of their barricade 
and drove tliem into their main works. 
The enemy's intrenchment passing- 
around the north front of Overton's hill, 
receded to the south for a short distance 
directly in front of Opdycke's brigade. In the advance 
Beatty's division came op])osite the north end of the hill, and 
advanced to a jiroper point from which to assault, while our 
brigade advancing just west of the hill was enabled to go 
farther forward, and advanced until the left of the front line 
was within 150 yards o.f the enemy's works, the line extend- 
iuir almost at riglit angles away from that of the enemv, and 
being enfiladed by the enemy's guns on the hill. Opdycke 
then moved the regiments of his second and third line into 
the interval between the left of his front line and the right of 
Beatty's division, facing southeast. All were under fire from 





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C. L. Stevenson, 
Major (ieneral, C. S. A. 



BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 



the hill, and quickly covered themselves with a barricade 
good enough for the purpose. It was at that point that 
Francis Willis, of Company K, w'as killed, and Henry A. 
AValker, same company, was mortally wounded. 

A good general descri[>tion of the operations up to noon 
is given in the following extract from General Thomas' 
report : 

" At () A. M. Oil tlie 16th, Wood's corps pressed back tlic I'liemy's skir- 
mishers across the Frankhn pike to the eastward of it, and then swinging 
sliglitly to the right, advanced chie south from Nashville, drivingjtlie enemy 
before him until he came upon his new main line of works, constructed 
during the night, on wliat is called Overton's Hill, al)out five miles south of 
the city and cast of the Franklin pike. General Steedman movi'd out from 
Nashville by tlie Nolensville pike, and formed his command, on the left of 
General Wood, efi'ectually securing the latter's li'ft 
flank, and made ])reparatioiis to co-operate in tlie 
operations of the day. Gen. A. J. Smith's com- 
mand moved on the right of the Fourth Corjjs 
(Wood's), and establishing connection with General 
AVood's right, completed the new line of battle. 
General Schofield's troops remained in the i)osition 
taken up liy them at dark on the day })revious, fac- 
ing eastward and toward the enemy's left flank, the 
line of the corps running perpendicular to General 
Smith's troops. General Wilson's cavalry, which 
had rested for the night at the six-mile post on 
the Hillsboro pike, Mas dismounted and formed on 
the right of Schotield's command, and l)y noon of 
the Kith had succeeded in gaining the enem3''s rear, 
and stretched across tlie Granny White pike, one of 
Franklin. 

" .\s soon as the al)0ve dispositions were completed, and having visited 
the difierent commands, I gave directions that the movement against the 
enemy's left tiank should be continued. Our entire line approached to 
witiiin t)00 yards of the enemy's at all points. His center was weak, as com- 
pared with either his right, at Overton's Hill, or his left, on the liills border- 
ing the Granny White pike ; still I had hopes of gaining his rear and cutting 
off his retreat from Franklin." 




BENMA>n.\ Haiuusdn, 
Brigiiclici*Oi.'iieral. 

his two (lutlets toward 



Early in the afternoon, Colonel Post, having examined 
the enemy's position on Overton's Hill, expressed the opinion 
that his l)rigade could enter the works. General Steedman 



366 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



had moved over al)out 1 o'clock and joined on Wood's left 
and ottered to join in an assault. Seeing that the capture of 
Overton's Hill would completely turn the enemy's right and 
probaUly lorce the surrender of a large part of his troops on 
that flank, General Wood ordered an assault by Post's brigade^ 
supported by Streight's of Beatty's division, and Steednian 
united, sending in two brigades, Grosvenor's and Thompson's. 
The artillery pounded away at the enemy's works while 
preparations were in progress, and heavy skirmish lines were 
thrown out to precede the storming columns, draw the 
enemv's tire and if possible to silence their guns by shooting 

artillerists. At 3 o'clock the whole 
line dashed forward, met a terriftic 
fire of grape, cannister and mus- 
ketry, but pushed onward and up- 
ward until near the enemy's works, 
when Colonel Post was struck with 
a grape shot and disabled, and the 
enemy's reserve rose up and opened 
fire, under whicli many officers and 
men fell. It was then seen to be a 
hopeless case, and the assaulting 
troops fell back. General Wood 
expressed the opinion that but for 
the fall of Post the troops would 
have entered the works. 

Opdycke wanted to join in that assault, and liad obtain- 
ed from General Wood permission to strike if in his opinion 
there was a good opening, but shortly before Post started 
General Elliott gave Opdycke a peremptory order not to 
move without his order. It cannot be known what the result 
would have been had our brigade assaulted at the same time 
with Post, but more of us are now living in consequence of 
General Elliott's order, without doubt. 




\VashiN(;t,i)N L. Ei.liutt (ISbT), 
Brevet Major Genei'al. 



BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 



367- 



Tlie enemy were given l»iit a hfiet' moment to rejoice over 
their iirst and only succcf^s in tlie hattlc Our troops on the 
right were at hist ready to move. Wilson's cavalry 
dismounted, assaulted and carried a liill on tlu'ir front, 
thereby gaining the Granny White pike heyond the enemy's 
flank, and cutting ott" retreat by that pike. Smith's right 
division assaulted tlie works on their front ami cari-ied them. 
The Twenty-third Corps [>ressed torwai'd between Smith and 
Wilson. Smith's left division took up the movement, and 
each division of the Fourth Cor[»s also joined in tlu' charge 
as fast as they discovered troops to their right ad\ancing. 
The enemy was literally swejit out of his whole line so i-apidiy 
as to loose a great part of his artdlery and thousands of 
prisoners. It was a second Missionary Ividge. (ieneral 
Mc Arthur initiated the movement 
before receiving orders to begin, ami 
eacli brigade to tlie left in succes- 
sion Joined the nn:)vement. General 
Thonuis was waiting for word from 
Schotield and Wilson, who were to 
move Hrst, before ordering Mc- 
Arthur to advance. There, as at 
Mission Ilidge, tlie wide front cov- 
ered by the charge prevented con- 
centration of the enemy at threat- 
ened points, and success insured the 
capture of many guns and i)risoiiers. 
The following extract from General Smith's rejiort shows 
how it began : 

" About 1'. M. (Jeneral McArthur sent word that lie could ciirry 
the hill on his right by a,s.sault. Major General Thomas being pres^cnt, the 
matter was referred to him, and I was requested to delay the- movement 
until he could hear from General Schofield, to whom he had sent. General 
McArthur, not leceiving any reply, and fearing that if tlie attack should be 
longer delayed, the enemy would use the night to strengthen his works,, 
dirccteil the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillen, Ninety-Fifth Ohio Infantry,, 
commanding, to storm thcihill." 




CAPT. R. K. ]n I.^K (IS<I,")). 



-368 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



After witnessing the repulse of the first assault. Gen- 
eral Wood rode to the right and was with General Kimball 
when he heard the shouts of Smith's troops, and discovered 
from the heavy fire spreading from right to left, that the 
whole Sixteenth Corps were joining in the charge, and he at 
once sent an order for the Fourth Corps to assault. The 
order was hardlj^ needed and probably did not reach all of 
^the commanders before the troops were in motion. The 
Confederates were forced ijito disorderly retreat, and the 
Fourth Corps pursued until stopped by darkness. The 
125th was in Opdycke's second line, which followed HOO 
paces in rear of the first line, and soon as the first line 
entered the works, the 125th was sent to the front, deployed 
as skirmishers, and advanced in pursuit, halting at night 
near Brentwood. 

The battle of Nashville was an unusuallj' complete vic- 
tor}'. In the two days Hood's army was swept out of two 
intrenched lines, losing, in addition to 
killed and wounded, 287 officers and 4175 
men, who were made prisoners, fifty- 
three pieces of artillery, and also thou- 
sands more by capture and desertion on 
the retreat. In fact, his army was, for 
the time being, practically destroyed as 
an ett'ecti^'e force. The Fourth Corps 
was in the advance, acting with the cav- 
alry, in the long pursuit, and in spite of 
wintry storms, bad roads and short ra- 
tions, pushed resolutelj' forward day by 
day until Hood ettected his escape across the Tennessee 
River. 

The 125th, by the fortune of war, was less conspicuous 
at Nasliville than in any other general engagement. In per- 
forming the part assigned it, tiie regiment was so fortunate 
in position as to suffer slight loss. 




llIi.K J<:\VING, 

Brevet Major General. 




('All. Al.KXAMiKl; Itli KMIN. A illlil K ll.V.I.) 



PURSUIT OF HOOD. 



369 



The following is Major Brutf'.s otHcial roitort : 

Headquarters '\ 

125th Ohio Voi.unteeks, \ 

Neah Coi.uMiiiA, Tenw., Dec. 21, 18()4. ) 

Captain: — I have the lionor to report that on tlie morning of tlie 
15tli instant my eomniand, siniuUaneous with others, moved ont of the 
works at Nashville to attack the enemy, participating in tlie charge upon 
the enemy's position to the left of the Hillshoro pike, which we carried. 
Lieutenant Hulse, in (■iiiiuiuukI of a squad of skirmishers, cajjtured one 
gun to the right and front of this position, which he turned upon the 
enemy, doing good service. On the Kith, advanced upon the I'uemy's 
works to the right of the Franklin pike and charged with the line, the 
enemy flying in disorder. 

- The casualties in the command were one kitle<l and liiree severely 
wounded. Your obedient servant, 

Joseph Brufk, 
M(t/i)r, Commanding Reghnent. 
Capt. R. C. Powers, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant Gciwral. 

Francis Willis, of K, was killed; Henry A. Walker, ot 
K, mortally wounded ; Jacob W. Ruppert, of A, wounded; 
Jacob Glauzer, of H, missing; two others 
wounded, names not now known. 



thp: pursuit of hood. 

December 17. — The 125th marched 
at 7 A, M. in advance, acting as skirmish- 
ers on the left of the pike until relieved 
by cavalry, six miles from Fraidclin, then 
joined the brigade on the pike and 
camped at night on the north bank of lm- k wakhen, b. 
the Ilarpeth, opposite Franklin. It rained all day. Some 
of the officers called on J)r. and Mrs. Clitf and other acquain- 
tances in town, and inquired about our wounded. 

December 18. — Marched at 8. Crossed the river, passed 
tlirough Franklin. The town is full of wounded. Moved 
on Columbia pike, passing over the battletield and on 




37° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



through Spring Hill, camping for the night four miles south. 
The rain continues. 

Decemher 19. — Broke camp at 6:30, moved on to the 
crossing of Kutherford Creek. The enemy lield the south 
bank and used artillery to prevent bridge building. Went 
into camp. The stream is bank full. Had to move camp in 
evening to get out of range of the enem3''s skirmishers. 
One man killed and several wounded in our division ; none 
of 125th. 

December 20.— Reveille at 6. After breakfast the 125th 
joined the Brigade Pioneer Corps and Avorked on a bridge. 
Bridge finished at 2 p. m. Crossed and camped one mile 
north of Duck River. Weather turning cold. 

December 21. — No move to-da3^ Waiting for other 
troops to secure crossings or for pontoon trains. Two or 
three men from each company went foraging and were suc- 
cessful. The enemy hold the south bank of Duck River. Cap- 
tain Whitesides was relieved to-day as 
acting Assistant Adjutant General of Di- 
vision and resumed the duties of Provost 
Marshal. 

December 22. — Our forces crossed 
Duck River. Our division dropped from 
the head to rear of corps, and we did not 
march until 10 p. m. Crossed Duck River 
and camped near Columlna, on left of 
Pulaski pike. Capt. E. P. Bates has been 
])AviD Mui.EK, K (is'jo). appointed acting Assistant Quartermaster 
on the staff of the Brigade Commander. 

December 23. — Waited orders and our turn on the pike. 
Marched at four p. m. Our brigade next to last in corps. 
Camped at seven i'. m. Weather cold. 

December 24. — Marched at eight. Our division leading, 
our brigade first, and we the second regiment in column. 




PURSUIT OF HOOD. 



371 



Followed on the lieels of tlie eavalrv all day. Cainjted lour 
miles south of Lynnville. 

December 25. — Christmas day, but no relaxation of the 
pursuit of Hood. Our division last in Corps, and we did not 
get on pike until 11 a. m. Passed through Pulaski, taking 
the dirt road leading southwest, and camped at dark four 
miles out. Passed the remains of many wagons destroyed 
by the enemy. It rained and roads are almost impassible. 

J)ecember 20. — Out of rations. Waited for them. A 
good many men ill, and sent them back. In afternoon drew 
rations for three days to last five days. 

December 27th. — Marched at daylight. lioads very 
muchh'. Paining; camped at night eighteen miles from 
Pulaski on Sugar Creek. 

December 28. — Marched at 8, our Ijrigade leading, 
Ave last in bi'igade. Camped two miles 
south of Lexington, Ala. Distance to- 
day fifteen miles. 

December 29. — In cam}) all da)'. 
Pioneers sent to repair road back to Pu- 
laski. Our trains will have a liard task 
to overtake us. It is reported that Hood 
has crossed the Tennessee River. 

December 30. — No move to-day. 
Two men from each company sent out 
foraging. Rained in afternoon; turned 
colder and snowed after dark. The pioneers returned at 
night. 

December 31. — The campaign is at an end. After 
breakfast bugles sounded "strike tents,"' and then orders 
were given to build good fires and thoroughly dry blankets 
and tents before rolling them. Marehed back to Lexington ; 
met the supply train. Drew three days rations to last five, 
and nuirched over a very bad road in direetion of Athens 
eio'ht miles. 




\V. s. Stkaul, E. 



372 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Our losses in Deceiuljer, not before noted, were, by 
transfer to Veteran lieserv^e Corps : Jason Case, Mark 
Shields and Jolin Williams of C, Jolin Daley and Charles 
Knapp of G, Patrick Donoghue and John Kelly of I, most of 
them on account of wounds. 




(" Their colors wore ostentatiously disiihiyed." ji. 100.) 

BKON/.K liATTI.K SCKNK ON OfH ( '11 1( K A M A r(i.\ MoKlMENT. 



CHAl'TEH XIIl. 



orDYCKl'] TKtKRS in ISii.",. 



(EXTKACTS Ki:OM i>i\i:y.) 



•liiimary 1. — New "^'cars da}' and >Suiulay, but no lidi- 
day for soldiiTs of the Fourth CorjJS. Marched eiii'ht or 
nine miles and camped on a ridge called Mt. Rosin, Foi-- 
aii■er^^ brought in dried peaches and ham for our mess. 

.January 2. — No move to-day. A good many of the 
boys were out foraging. John McXurhuid. of F, came in 
on a horse, but the owner came 
after him and took him away, 
.lohn had the use of the horse 
to bi'ing in the army supplies, 
however. Major IJi'utf is [iromoted 
to Lieutenant Colonel. Pioneers are 
building a bi-idge for us to ci'oss Elk 
Uivcr. 

January ■]. — Marched at 2 p. .m. 
Crossed Elk River on a bridge at 
Buck Island. Campod seven miU's 
from Athens. 

January 4. — Marched at 0. 
Halted at Athens for one-halt hour. Camped at niii'lit 
twenty-three miles tVom starting point. 

January 5. — Marched at 6 a. .m. Cam|)ed one mile 
west of Iluntsville, Ala., at 3 i*. m. Capt. Elmer Moses lias 
resigned on account of \\'ounds. 

Januai-y (!. — The men are cutting logs for use in build- 
ing winter ([uarters. 

January 7. — Lieutenant JJlacklmrn came n[i, ha\inu- 
been absent sick at Xashville. 




I.VMAN UdoT, B (1.S90). 



374 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



January 8. — Fatigue parties still at work getting out 
material for quarters. Reported that Tweuty-tliird Corps 
has been ordered to Washington, 

January 9. — Rained all day. Xo work done. 
January 10. A fatigue party with wagons are hauling 
brick and logs for quarters. David B. Erb and John Getz, 
of A, are detailed as teamsters for division train. 

January 11. — The new "houses" are being erected. 
They are 9x10, and each occupied by four men. Unless 

the guards do better work 
Huntsville will be destroyed 
to furnish materials for the 
cam[). 

January 12. — Jacob 
Yoder returned to Company 
F, and John Boner to Com- 
pany A, from the hospitaL 
Two new recruits came up, 
William R. Arnold and 
Morgan Gray, and are as- 
signed to Com})any C. 

January 13.— Wm. B. 
Scott, Company F, returned 
from hospital. His wound 
has healed, Init he is still an 
invalich fFoseph Tuttle, of 
Company D, has been de- 
tailed for duty at the Na- 
tional Cemetery in Chattanooga. Samuel Morningstar, of 
A, died on the lOtli at Columbia, Tenn. 

January 14. — The sutler came up to-day. Brigade 
guard put on. Too much f )raging. Carey Tuttle, of F, 
Ijrought in a lot of walnuts. A tire started to-day at 
Division Ileadipiarters, in the house of Mr. McCalley, but 
was soon extiufjuished. 




-IKKS, 1< llMI.")). 



AT HUNTS V/LLE. 



375 



tion 



January 15. — Cliaplain Lewis lias sent in liis resigna- 

Januarv 1<>. — O. L. Lazarus, of A, came nj* from hos- 
l.ital. 

January 17.— Capt. C. T. Clark"s l)irtli(lay. He is 
twenty. One year ago 125th in tight at L>an(lri(lge, Inspec- 
tion to-day by company ofiicers, and hiter by Capt. A. (L 
Lakin, Brigade Inspector. 

January 18. — ('a}tt. R. C. Powers of the stall:' instruct- 
ed the guard. Captain Stinger is detailed 
on a general court mai'tial. Soft bi'cad 
issued to-day; the commissary has uuilt 
an oven. Albert Callahan, of A, i-eturni'd 
from hospital. 

-Ian nary 1!>. — Dress parade by Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Jirutf. Order from Division 
Commander was read requiring drills, 
Aveatlier permitting, 10:00 to ILoO a. m., 
2:30 to 4:00 P. M., and dress parade at 
4: -30 r. m. geoiuje stimi>, d osoo). 

January 20. — Piattaliou drill by Lieutenant Colonel 
Brutl", and dress parade. Religious meeting in evening in 
24th Wisconsin. Sernu)n from ttwt, John X I, 44. Colonel 
Opdycke has ordered that the soldier from each regiment jire- 
senting the best looking gun and e([ui[»ments and the neatest 
appearance at guard mount, shall have a i)ass for the day, 
and be excusi'd from duty. 

January 21. — Inspection of oui- shelter tents, kna])- 
sacks, etc., by tlie Di\'isiou Inspector. The pioneer cor[)S of 
each regiment are hereatter to have a mule with paniers to 
carry axes, spades and [ticks, instead of carrying them on 
their shoulders. 

January 22. — Chaplain Lewis" resignation has been 
accepted. Some men of Fourth Corps, (puirtered with eiti- 




376 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



zens as safe-guards, Lave been captured, and all the otliers are 
ordered to return to their regiments. 

January 23. — Drilled morning and afternoon. Snowing 
to-night lightly. Bruit' mustered in on his commission as 
Lieutenant Colonel to-day. 

January 24. — Xo drill. Cold day. 

January 25. — Captain Morgan, of General Elliott's staft", 
condemned our camp equipage. Asst. Surg. James G. Bu- 
chanan has resigned. Sergt. D. K. Bush is promoted to Or- 
derly Sergeant of A. 

January 26. — M. P. Amy, of Company K, has been de- 
tailed as an orderly'at Division Headquarters. 

January 27. — Ground frozen. Cold and windy. IS'o 
drills. 

January 28. — William Beckholt, of F, was given a pass 
to-day for cleanest gun and equipment and neatest appear- 
ance on guard mount. 

January 29 (Sunday). — Inspection. 
Preaching by Chaplain LeAvis, his farewell 
sermon ; text, I. Timothy, IV, 18. 

January 30. — ISTo drill to-day. l\e- 
ceived a box from home containing socks, 
apples, pound cake, etc. 

January 31. — Squad drill and dress 
parade. Spelling school at night. Lost 
from our rolls in past month: Died of 
HKNia- I'mi.Lirs. 1 (18'...-.). ^ouud, Thomas Jacobs, of E ; died, Franz 
Esch, of II ; discharged, Thomas Johnson, of E (wound), 
and Ira O. Case, of E ; Edward Nichols, of G, and Henry 
Welling of K : transferred to Veteran Reserve.Corps, Frank 

Fulton, of K. 

February 1. — The Third Division are moving to East- 
port to relieve Twenty-third Corps, wliich goes east to join 
Grant or Sherman. 




A T HUiYTS I VL LE. 



377 




Ft'lu'uarv 2. — I'lie Itoy.-- l>lay l)all on tlic parade ^•I'ouiul. 
Freeman Collins, Conijiany D, liad been |ii-oni(ite(l to Second 
Lieutenant, l)ntnot nuistered, when lie was killed at Kenesaw 
Mountain, and an order from the War Dejiartment has de- 
elai'ed him mustered as Lieutenant to date from May 2, 18()4. 

February 3. — Two games of InUl to-day. No drill. The 
boys read the newspapers and write letters every day. In the 
■e\enino; they do some sino-ino-. AH are 
tryiiiii' to enjoy winter ipnirters. 

Februar}' 4. — Adam J.,. Forney, of F, 
promoted to Corporal to-day. S. i). 
Howells, of K, discliarged on this date 
from Tri[iler lIos[)ital, Columbus, O. 
Colonel Opdyeke started to Ohio on a 
twenty days' leave of absence. 

February 5 (Sunday). — Inspection. 
Dress parade at 4. Snow in the even- 
ing. Lieutenant Phillips went to Mar- 
freesboro to visit friends. Lieut. \\. C. Kice acts as Adjutant 
during absence of Phillips. 

February 6. — Comiiau}- drill in forenoon. Dress parade 
at 4. Snowed at night. M. C. Callahan, of A. came up 
but his wound is not entirely healed. 

February 7. — U[»dycke has been made a Brevet Briga- 
dier General. 

February 8. — Snowing. Xo drill (U- dress parade. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Brutf is acting on a court nnii'tial. 

February 0. — Xo drills. Boys are writing letters, visit- 
ing, etc. 

Fel)ruary 10. — Captain Bates has been granted leave of 
absence for twenty days. Promotions on this date: First 
Lieut. W, S. Williams, to Captain of E; First J.ieut. Xyrum 
Phillips, to Captain : Second Lieut. W. 11. Crowell, to First 
Lieutenant and Kegimeiital (^lartermaster ; Second Lieut. 



378 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Alexander H, Postlewait to First Lieutenant of K; Second 
Lieut. Thomas E. Maban to First Lieutenant of A. Pliillips 
will not muster as Captain; prefers position of Adjutant. 

February 12 (Sunday). — No inspection. Went to meet- 
ing in 24tb Wisconsin ; text, Isaiab LV, 1. Dress parade by 
Captain Dickson. General Elliott and staif visited our camp 
to-day. 

February 14. — Not feeling well. Dr. McHenry gave me 
some medicine. In the evening attended prayer meeting in 
74th Illinois. The newspapers report Gen ei^al Thomas about 
to start on a campaign through Alabama. Hope it is a false 

report. 

February 16. — Inspection by 
Brigade Inspector. Dress parade. 

February 17. — Henry Whitmer,. 
of F, returned I'rom hospital. 
^1^ ' F e I) r u a r y 18. — Warm d ay. 

^PBlL ^ Lewis Spickler, of G, went home on 

jn^ Jk^ '^ furlough. 

^^ ^yw!^ February 19 (Sunday).— In- 

spection. Preaching in 74th Illi- 
nois; text, Psalms, XY, 114. Dress 
parade at 4. 

February 20. — Dress parade. 
No drill. OtHcers' school in evening. 

Feln-uary 21. — It is reported our troops have taken 
Charleston, S. C, and a salute was fired. 

February 22. — A salute was tired in honor of Washing- 
ton's Pirthday. In the evening our sutler entertained the 
oilicers, setting up a good supper. 

February 23. — Wet and muddy. John North, of F, 
returned from hospital. Sergt. William J. Jones, of K, died on 
this date while absent on furlough. 

February 2;'). — Lieutenant Colonel Brutt" started to Ohio- 
' leave »^f absence. 




Ti;viN TiU'MAN. A (1- 



AT HUNTSVILLE. 



379 



February 20 (Sunday). — Inspection. Lieut. D. K. Bly- 
.stone, wounded at Franklin, returned to-day. Henry Wliit- 
iiier, of F, was sent to the hospital again. 

February 27. — Clear day. Ball game in morning. Xo 
drill or dress parade. 

February 28. — Muster and inspection at o p. :Nr. Text 
to-night, Isaiah, V, 14. We are to have a series of revival 
meetings. Capt. E. P. Bates has been commissioned Major, 
but can not muster, as we liave not enough men to carry a 
line of Held oliicers. Cassius Coats, Levi H. Hall and 
Harvey W. Lamb, of C, and Orlando Slioults, ot F, have been 
discharged foi' wounds and disability. 

March 2. — The several Chaplains organized a brigade 
church to-da}'. Capt. W. S. Williams has leave of absence 
for twenty days. 

March 3. — Ca[»tain Dickson, 
Lieutenant Payne and Lieutenant 
Thoman are appointed a board to 
report what ordnance, camp and 
garrison equipments, etc., Captain 
Stewart was res[)onsible for at the 
time he was killed. 

March 4.— Lieut. H. A. Donald- 
son has been assigned to duty with 
the Ambulance Corps of the Fourth 
Army Corps. Tlie 26th Oiiio bantl 
serenaded General Elliott. James P. 
Ramsey came to Com])any A, sick. He has been on duty at 
Corps headquarters. 

Manli ') (Sunday). — Lis[tection. General Oixlycke has 
returned tVom Ohio. 

March G. — Prayer meeting at 2, dress parade at 4, and 
preaching at G, is the daily program. 

March 8. — Chaplain of T-b'd Illinois preached to-night. 
Text, Cor., \ ^ 10. Seven rose for }iraycrs and two professed 




Ai;i.lllK llii.L, C ilfvli.')). 



38o 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



conversion, 24th Wisconsin band serenaded General 0})- 
•flyclve' I^'*- William E. McKini has been appointed Assistant 
Surgeon of the 125th. 

March 9. — Prepared for a review, which was postponed 
■on acount of rain. 

March 10. — General Opdycke inspected the camp. 
Henry H.Adams, of G, was discharged on account of ill health. 
He lias not recovered from his illness contracted while in a 
southern prison. 

March 11. — At 2 p. m., brigade review by General 
■Opdycke. 

March 12. — Reported that marching orders liave been 
given for the Fourth Corps. 

March 13. — By vote of +he officers, 
the 125th presented our old flag to Gen- 
eral Opdycke. Captain Powers made the 
presentation speech, and the General re- 
sponded in an eloquent address, lieview 
of the Second Division to-day by Major 
General Stanley. Our First Division 
started for East Tennessee by rail. 

March 16.— Capt. R. C. Powers has 
been sent to Ohio, recommended for 
promotion in a new regiment, to return 
in twenty days if not successful. 

March 17. — General Stanley and staff left to-day. 
March 18.— Corp. AV. S. Strahl, of E, has been detailed 
for duty with the hospital train. 

March 20. — Brigade drill to-day by General Oi>dycke. 
Captain Dickson commanded the 125th. Lewis Spickler, 
of G, retunic(l from Ohio. 

March 21. — Captain Lakin takes Captain Powers' place 
on brigade staff, and Lieutenant Phillips succeeds Lakin as 
Brigade Inspector. 




C:iIARI.ES Wetz, 1 (l.'- 



MOVE TO BULLS GAP. 



381 



March 22. — Corp. Lyman Hoot, Conipany 15. lias been 
relieved from duty as clerk at Brigade IIcadi|iiarrcrs. 

March 24. — Uegimental drill foi- two hours to-day. 

March 25. — Uejiort in camp that Ivichmond has fallen. 

March 2'> (Sunday). — Inspection and drt'ss parade, Cap- 
tain Stinger commanding. 

March 27. — Packed extra baggage. We arc to mai'cii. 
Brigade drill at •> p. m., by General Opdycke. Captain Stinger 
commanded 125th. Corp. Lyman Root, Company V>. is 
detailed as postmaster at Division 
IIead(|uarters. 

Mandi 28. — Orders to march. 
"Strike tents" sounded at 11 a. .m. 
Marched to the cars. Ti-ain left at 
3 V. M. for K n o x v i 1 1 c . Passed 
thi'ough Stevenson and Bridgeport 
in the night. Peached Chattanooga 
at 5 A. M. on the 29th ; stopped two 
hours to make cott'ee. 

.\hircli 29.— Left Chattanooga 
at 8 A. M. Delayed ck ronte. Reached 
Cleveland, Tenn., at o i>. .m. AVent 
on side track until S \\ m., then travclc( 
rained ever since we started. 

March 30. — Rained all night. Men on to[) of cars had 
a hard time. Passed through Loudon at 5 a. m. Ari'ived at 
Kuoxville at 3 \\ m., having been delayed on sidings for trains 
going down, 

March 31. — Left Kuoxville at 3 w .m. On train all night. 
Lost from our rolls in March : By discharge for wounds or 
disability, Sergt. M. Woolford, and Corp. Joshua Crouse, of 
A; William Charles, of C ; James L. Hathaway and David 
Keck, of D ; Conrad Weddle, of H ; Benjamin J. Kilburn, of 
K; by transfer to Veteran Reserve Cor[»s, Franklin J. Fobes, 
of B ; Jeremiah Swiuehart, of C, and George S. Hill, of D^ 




Wll.l.IA.M WASSdN'. I! I IS'.I.M. 

all niii'ht. It has 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



April l. — At 7 A. M. passed New Market. At 8 a. m. 
left the train, formed ranks and marched through Bull's Gap. 
Went into camp on a ridge. 

April 2 (Sunday). — Sergt. JSTathan J. Thomas of A, and 
William Benson of G, came up. (Maim to be well, but 
Thomas does not look rugged. 

April 3. — At 2 p. m. a dispatch received saying iiiehmond 
has been taken. There was much cheering and great re- 
joicing. The artillery fired a 100-gun salute. Lieutenant 
Blystone and a party are to take extra baggage to Knoxville 
to be stored. AVe have marching orders. Crowell Mikesell, 
of I, is detailed as an orderly at General 
Opdycke's headquarters. 

April 4. — Reveille at 4 a. m, ; strike 
tents at 5; marched at 6, the 125th 
as train guard ; at 11 A. m. reached 
camp, one mile from Blue Springs. Jef- 
ferson Melick, of F, returned from Libby 
Prison, exchanged. He reports that while 
he was sick in prison h()S[>ital, Vaughn, of 
F, and Hanson, of I, were sent from Lil)bv 
]KA E. w,.„i.EY. K (1.S95). ^Q Andersonville Prison. Vaughn died at 
Andersonville. 

April 5. — Jared Shenafield, of A, granted a furlough on 
request of his wife, who wrote to General Thomas. 

April 6. — Details sent to repair railway. Lee expected 
to come this way, and we will move to head him. 
April 7. — The 125th is on picket. 

April 8. — Relieved at 8 a. m. by 40th Indiana. Dispatches 
recei\ed, giving an account of the fight with Lee's army at 
Sailor's Creek, Va. First Lieut. Ralsa C. Rice, of B, is pro- 
moted to Captain of D, but will remain in command of B. 
Second Lieut. Henry Glenville is promoted to First Lieu- 
tenant of B. 




AT BLUE SFRJXGS. 



583 



April 9 (Suiulay). — Two sermons: one l^y C'lia]>lain 
Powell, 64th Ohio ; text, John, III, 16. The other by Chaplain 
Roe, of 24th Wisconsin; text, Rev. II, 17. 

April 10. — Heavy detail ■\vorkini;- on tlic i-aih'oad near 
Midway Station. At night a dispatch came announcing the 
surrender of Lee's army. The boys went wild. Everybody 
turned out. Ammunition was wasted recklessly. It will not 
be needed any more. 

Ajtril 11. — AH (piict. An order was read iirohil)iiing 
the burning of rails or injui'v t(» growing crops. Jesse B. 
Luse, of C, discharged on account of wound. Captain Will- 
iams returned from Ohio. 

April 12. — Raining; mudd\': cam[i ([uiet. 
A[iril 13. — Xt) rain, but veiy mudd}-. 
A}iril 14. — Two sermons in camp to-day. Day observed 
in thanksgiving for Union victories. 

Aprd 15. — Received notice of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. Ca}»- 
tain Powers returned from Ohio and 
resumed his duties as acting Assistant 
Adjutant General of Brigade. 

April 16. — 125th on picket to-day. 
April 17. — Relieved by 65th Ohio. 
General Opd3'cke issued an order giving 
camp regulations. There is too much 
straggling from camp. 

April 18. — Marching orders receivei 
ville. 

April 19. — Marched at 5 a. m. The 125th is train guard. 
Camped for the night at Bull's Gap. The troops go by rail. 
AVe take the wagon train. 

April 20. — Ahirched at 6 a. m. Still train guard, Cami)ed 
at Morristown. 

April 21. — Marched at 6 a. .m. Permission given to [dace 




Nathan WnunvAnri, V.. 

We ii'o to Xash- 



384 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



knaiisacks in tlie wagons. Tleached Mossy Creek at noon. 
Camped for tlie night at New Market. 

April 22. — Marched at 6 a. m. Crossed the Holsten at 
Strawberry Plains about noon. Marched six miles further 
and camped. 

April 23. — Marched at 7 a. m.; passed through Knox- 
ville and camped in the suburbs near the railroad. Report of 
the surrender ot Johnston's army received. 

A[)ril 24. — No move to-day. First Division trains load- 
ing on cars. 

A[»ril 20. — At 8 p. m. Companies A and F detailed to go 
to the cars and load wagons. George B. A^allandingham, 
ot E, has been transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. 

April 2. — Marched to the railway 
station after breakfast and boarded the 
cars. Were ordered oif again. Spent 
the day waiting. Talked with some Con- 
federate soldiers who were going home. 
Shared my dinner with one of them. 
Boarded the cars again at 4 p. m., but did 
not start until 7, then traveled all night. 
Ki)y\\ 28. — At daylight we are at 
Sweetwater; reached Chattanooga at 
noon. Stopped an hour. Passed Steven- 
son at 4 p. M., and Tullahoma and Mur- 
frcesboro in the night. 

April 29. — Arrived at Nashville at daylight, stopped half 
an hour, then run out three miles, where we left the cars and 
camped near tlie track. 

April 30. — Marched out the Charlotte pike three miles 
and camped with the brigade at Camp Harker. At 5 p. m. 
mustered for pay. Lost trom our rolls in April: by discharge 
for wounds or physical disability, Emory H. Fosnaucht of A, 
Corp. William 11. Lee of B, Corp, Chester Tuttle, Jesse B. 
Luse and William Seaborn of C, John Moran and John Vine 




B. K. VorN(., 
T'riiicipal Musician. 



FINAL GRAND REVIEW. 



;85 



of I), Uldridge Rhodes and Samuel Tucker of E, Frederick 
Wag'iier of IT. 

May 1. — Soft bread in the rations to-day. It is now cer- 
tain that Johnston has surrendered. The war is surely 
ended. 

May 2. — At 3 w i\. the First Brigade was reviewed by 
General Opdycke. 

May 3. — Captain Vallendar rejoined for the tirst time 
since the battle of Rocky Face Ridge. 

May 4. — Tlie funeral services of President Lincoln are in 
progress at Springtield, 111., and there 
was a union service in the First Brigade. 
Chaplain of the 24th Wisconsin preached. 

May 5. — Battalion drill and dress 
parade to-day. Colonel Jaquess, 73rd 
Illinois, delivered an address to-day; sub- 
ject, " Peace." 

Ma}' 6. — General Elliott reviewed the 
Second Division to-day. All the oiiicers 
were pleased with the performance. If 




I'F.TKi; ZKi.l.Kl; 



the other divisions do as well the grand 

review, to take place on the 8th, will eclipse anything of the 

kind we have seen. 

May 7 (Sunday). — Inspection. At 2 i'. m. preaching in 
our regiment. At 3 p. m. brigade review by General Op- 
dycke. Dress parade at 6. Carey Tuttle, of F, retui iK-d 
from Oiiio. 

May 8. — Brigade drill by General Opdycke to-day, get- 
ting ready for a grand review. It was to take place to-day, 
but was postponed on account of i-ain. 

May 9. — Marched at 7 a. .af. to the position assigned near 
the city for the grand review by General Thomas. It was a 
great show for citizens of Nashville, who were out by thou- 
sands. General Tliomas rode along the lines, then took post 
in front for the troo[>s to march in review. As each General 



386 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



riding at the head of his command came up, he took post 
near General Thomas. When our brigade came up, General 
Thomas paid Opdycke and his command a high compliment 
by requesting Opdycke to deploy in line of battle and make 
a charge, saying that he wished to see one more charge by 
troops of the Fourth Corps. The 88th Illinois was deplo3'ed 
as skii-mishers ; the 3Gth and 44th Illinois, 24th "Wisconsin 
and 125th (3hio deplo3'ed in line of battle, and the 73rd and 

74th Illinois, closed en masse, formed 
a second line. In that order we 
made our last charge upon an imag- 
inary foe, returning without loss to 
learn that General Thomas was 
pleased with the performance. 

May 10. — Captain Cushing re- 
turned to the regiment. He has 
been on duty as military conductor 
on a railroad. 

May 11. — Cold rain. Xo drill. 
Dress pai'ade by Colonel Bruit. 

May 12. — Company drill in the 
morning. Battalion drill in aftei'uoon. 

May 18. — Drills repeated. Some of the boys say we are 
preparing for the next war. Every one is expecting orders 
to muster out the Fourth (.V>rps. 

May 14. — It is reported that Jefterson Davis has been 
captured. 

May 15. — The entire brigade was inspected, our regi- 
ment coming last and being well prepared, each Company 
was marked "very efficient*" in drill, and '' Xo. 1," in con- 
dition of arms, accoutrements, clothing and appearance. We 
are sure that no other regiment beat us. I'erhaps they all 
did as well. Herbert Y. Sikes, of K, is discharged on this 
date from Hospital No. 2, Nashville, for physical disability. 




Crowell MIKESEI-L. I. 



A7 NASIfJVLLE. 



587 



He held out till the war closed, and we hope he will recover 
his liealth in Ohio. 

May 16. — Company drill in morning. Brigade drill in 
afternoon hy General Opdycke. Practiced firing, using lilank 
cartridges, and formed squares hy l)attalion. 

May 17. — Battalion drill in the morning, Captain Clark 
commanding regiment. Rained in the afternoon. 

May 18. — Battalion drill morning and afternoon, and 
dress parade, by Colonel Bruft". 

May 19. — Battalion drill by Colonel Bruit" in morning. 
Brigade drill by General Opdycke in afternoon was cut short 
by rain. 

^lay 20. — Elected delegates to the Ohio Union Conven- 
tion. 

May 21 (Sunday). — Inspection. Chaplain Roe, of 24th 
Wisconsin, }»reached to our regiment. Text, Hebrews, 
III, 68. 

May 22. — Company drill in morning. 
Brigade drill by General Opdycke at 
3 p. M, 

May 23. — Our brigade ordered to 
make new rails to replace those we have 
burned while in this camp, A citizen 
complained of his losses and ]^)rocured the 
order. 

May 24. — Brigade drill by General 
Opdycke. Capt. Wm. W. Gushing, of I, J. c. mossman. b ym:)). 
resigned. The railmakers were not a success. They slashed 
too many trees and failed to make rails. The irate citizen 
asked to have them recalled. OfHeers in charge are under 
arrest. iSTo danger of court martial, however, if 0[>dycke can 
control the matter. 

May 26. — Order issued appointing Captains Stinger, 
Dickson and Clark as a Council of Administration to exam- 
ine and report on the finances of the regiment. 




388 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



May 27. — Colonel Briitt" sent a request to the Adjutant 
General, at Washington, for an order to muster out the regi- 
ment at the time the first Company is mustered out. 

May 28 (Sunday). — Inspection. Chaplain Roe preached 
for us. Text, Luke, IX, 29. 

May 29. — Company drill in morning. Brigade drill by 
General Opdycke at 3 p. m. It is reported that Gen. Kirby 
Smith has surrendered. We are now confident that the 
Fourth Corps will be mustered out within a few days. 

Ma}' 31. — A large number of our sick and Avounded have 
been discharged in the past month. Their services will not 
be required even if tliey get well. The list includes Sergt. 
Kol)ert P. King, Corp. William Ilutton, George Arbuckle, 
Jacol) Baughman, John Bonei', John Getz, 0. L. Lazarus and 
Jonathan Wining, of A ; Samuel Fenn, Wesley C. Fishel, 
Jolm P. (irai-tner and David B. Wood, of B ; Jason Case (from 
^"eteran Reserve Corps), John Camitbell, 
Beiyamin Hall and William H. Watkins, 
of C ; James Beggs, Daniel Bloomer, 
George Stump and Joseph Tuttle, of D; 
George Kline, Michael W, Lawyer and 
Isaac" McNatt, of F ; D. W. Hiltabiddle, 
James Kelley and James Shay, of G; 
Sergt. Charles Muller, Corp. John Weir, 
Warren M. Caldwell, John Dalilem, James 
IL Jackson ([)aroled prisoner), Henry 
John M( NiKi.ANi), F. Sclieuer, William Summerby, Lucius W. 
Waters and Seymour 0. Wheeler, of H ; Corp. James W. 
Hair, Martin Bently, David Cay, Hugh Donely, Charles N. 
Hamilton, Jacob Musser and John P. Shear, of I; Corp. 
James A. Ferris, John Abbott, Whitfield Andre, Byron 
Chisom, Michael Daily, William Smith and Joseph Walch, 
of K. James Burnett, of B, Joseph Edwards, of I, and 
William Daily of H, have l)een transferred to the Veteran 
Reserve Corps. 




COMPANY A MUSTERED OUT. 



389 



June 1. — This is tlie day ap]i(>iiite(l by the President as 
a National fast-day, and the stilhu'ss in the caniii is renuirka- 
ble. Surgeon MeHenry resio'iied to-day. 

June 2. — A general order was read for the muster-out of 
all troops whose term expii'es before September 1, IS(J'). It 
appears that others are to remain in the service. The camp 
is full of rumors. It is said only Conniany A of our regiment 
Avill be mustered out on the existing order. 

June 0. — Com[)an3' A reeeived blank muster-out I'olis 
to-day. The rest of us must wait. A farewell order issued 
b}" General Opdycke w^as read to the regiment. 

June 4 (Sunday). — Ins^ieetion. Chaplain Ivoe preached 
to our regiment; Text, Psalms, XL, 22. In evening heard a 
Roman Catholic priest in 24th Wisconsin. 

-lune 25. — Lieutenant Colonel Brutf, on leave of 
absence, and Surgeon McHenr^-, resigned, 
went home to-day. Bates Lerontie, of C, 
is discharged on account of wounds. 

June 6. — At 8 w m. the First Brigade 
serenaded General Opdycke. A torch- 
light procession was improvised by fixing 
lighted candles in the muzzles of guns. 
The 24th AVisconsin l)an(l furnislied the 
music. On arriving at head(|uarters the 
regiments massed. General Opdycke de- 
livered an eloquent address. Other offi- 
cers were then called for, and responded 
in short speeches, among the number being Captains Bates, 
Powers and Clark, of our regiment. 

June 7. — It is the camp rumor that the Fourth Corps is 
ordered to Galveston, Texas. 

June 8.— The 73rd, 74th and 88th Illinois, and 24th 
Wisconsin are being mustered out. Company A, of our 
regiment, was mustered out to-day. Kone of the troops 
have left camp. Adjutant Phillips, (Quartermaster Crowell, 




'r. Uakshmak, 
Corporal, B. 



39° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Sergeant Major Henry A. Bell, (Quartermaster Sergeant 
Henry Lord, Commissary Sergeant Tliomas Trimble, Hos- 
pital Steward Detriek, and Principal Musicians Samuel H- 
Sidlingerand Benjamin F. Young were mustered out to-day. 
We will have only acting staft' now. Lieutenant Thoman 
is to be acting Adjutant; Hudson Fitch, of D, acting Ser- 
geant Major, and J. F. Scott, of F, acting Hospital Steward ; 
Capt. E. G. Whitesides, Lieut. Thomas R. Mahan, and the 
following enlisted men of A muster out with the Company, 
viz. : Ord. Sergt. D. K. Bush, Sergt. [N'athan J. Thomas, 
Corporals Dighton Young, L. S. Calvin, Silas Coy, James 
R. Dickson. Irvin Thoman, and Charles Wagner ; Privates 
Sylvanus Baker, George W, Bates, George 
Beerman, John S. Blim, Albert Callahan, 
M. C. Callahan, Jeremiah Creps, David B, 
Erb, Joseph D. Hartzell, Henry Hilton, 
Samuel A. Miller, James P. liamsey, 
Jared Shenafield, Thomas Spickler, Al- 
bert Stone and George W. Weikart. 
Tliomas Richmond was transferred to 
Company I. Jacob W. Ruj^pert and 
- James Dickson, absent wounded, were 
X. R. hai.i., F(is:i5). discharged from hospital. Four men of 
Company A, serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps, were dis- 
charged about the same time, viz. : Nicholas Wining, Francis 
Tool, Peter Meiger and Eli C. Kelley. Captain Whitesides 
was given the Ijrevet rank of Majoi- by the I'resident for gal- 
lantry in battle and meritorious service. 

.lune 0. — General Opdycke addressed' the regiments 
that are going home this evening. An order was read at 
dress parade, bidding adieu to Comi)any A. Also an 
address by General Opdycke to the 125th. 

June 10. — The 88th Illinois started in the night for 
Illinois. Sergt. Hudson Fitch lias been detailed for duty at 
Cor[ts Tlcudiiuarters. 




MARCHING ORDERS. 



;9i 



Jniu' 11. — Our Company A left for Ohio at dayliii'lit. 
The 24th Wisconsin, and 73r(l and 74tli Illinois, are to stai't 
home to-night. 

June 12. — There will l)e but two Ijrigades in the Sec- 
ond Division hereafter. The Second Brigade is to l>e 
broken up and three of its regiments C(^me to our brigade, 
rlz.: tlie 2Gth Ohio. 40th and o7th Indiana. Only three 
of our old First Brigade regiments remain in service, viz. : 
36th and 44th Illinois, and 12oth Ohio. A general order 
was read on dress parade, giving the three regiments from 
the old Second Brigade a hearty welcome to the First 
Brigade. 

June 13. — Paid off to-day. Received pay for eight 
months. There has been a controversy over Sergt. Ilndson 
Fitch, acting Sergeant Major. He 
was detailed and ordered to report 
to Corps Headquarters for duty. 
Captain Vallendar protested. The 
communication came back with a 
sharp reprimand. Yallendar wrote 
again, declaring he had no one com- 
petent to take Fitch's place as Ser- 
geant Major. That communication 
came back to-night covered all over 
with indorsements, ending with an 
order by Major General Stanley, re- 
leasing Fitch from the detail. Cap- liki i. kin. vmin i . (jAin.NKi:. 
tain Yallendar is proud of his victory. Fitch bhishes like 
a school girl. We are all pleased to keep him with the 
regiment. 

June 14. — Marching orders. We are packing extra 
baggage to send home. Com[>any B, of otir regiment, is to 
remain at Nashville to be mustered out. It is said we go to 
Xew Orleans. General Filliott is to go to Washinu'ton. 




392 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



General Opclycke will then take command of the division. 
CoL John Russell, 44th Illinois, will succeed to command of 
the First Brigade. Captain Clark has gone to Brigade 
Headquarters as Commissary of Subsistence, to act until a 
regular officer of that department is assigned. 

June 15. — Marched at 10 a. m., boarded cars in tlie 
city, our regiment leaving at 3 p. m. Arrived at 9 p. m. at 
Johnsonville on the Tennessee River, west from Nashville 60 
or 70 miles. Remained on the cars until morning. Cap- 
tains Alexander Dickson and Ralsa C. Rice have resigned to 
go home with their old Companies, A and B. Although 
Captain of K, Dickson has retained com- 
mand of A, and Rice, though Captain of 
1), commanded B since Captain Moses 
was wounded at Kenesaw. Both officers 
have been in every conflict in which the 
regiment took part. Lieut. Freeman 
Thoman, of H, becomes Captain of D, 
and Second Lieut. D. H. Payne, of I, 
will be First Lieutenant of H. We will 
also lose with Company B, Capt. R. C. 
LERov Fi'LLEK, c (1S95). Powcrs and Lieut. Henry Glenville. Or- 
derly Sergeants D. K. Bush, of A, and Rufus E. Woods, of 
B, hold commissions as Lieutenants, but cannot be mustered 
on them. 

June 16. — Boarded the steamboat " Longworth "' in 
the forenoon, but remained at the landing. It has Ijccn dis- 
covered that several men were left at Nashville. They 
probably took "French leave'' to visit home. 

June 17. — The boat left Johnsonville at sunrise. At 
4 P. M. the regiment disembarked on an island in the Ohio 
River a few miles above Cairo. The steamboat then pro- 
ceeded to Caii'o to take on coal. Some indignation is 
expressed at the want of confidence inqdied in not keeping 




GOING TO NE]V ORLEANS. 



Z9Z 



tlie command on tlie l»oat wliilr eoaliiiii:. From tlie talk, 
tliere was good cause for the precaution. ISome men claim 
it is bad faitli to retain them in service atter the war closed ; 
•others think the command will he mustered out within 
thirty days. Some say they will take lurlouu'lis without 
leave if they get a chance. 

June 18. — Our boat returned early this morning, took 
the troops and proceeded at once <lown to Cairo, and 
thence down the Mississi[ipi, passing C'ohnubus and Island 
No. 10. At night the boat anchored on account of fog. A 
number of men are missing. Many moi'e are rebellious. It 
is unfortunate that Colonel Brutf is absent. Captain Val- 
lendar is in command. If Opd^-cke and his stati" were on 
this boat things would l)e ditlerent. 

June 19. — The l)oat started at 5 a. .m. Passed Fort 
Pillow. Stopped one hour at Memphis, and anchored at 
night near St. Helena, Ark. 

.Tune 20. — The boys raided a sutler's 
■estaUishment tliis morning and several 
arrests have been made. Boat started at 
10 A. M. Anchored at midnight. 

June 21. — The boat started at day- 
light. At 9 A. M. found a disabled boat, 
partly sunk. A party of cavahymen, 
Avith their horses, were transferred from 
it to our boat. Reached Vicksburg at 
3 1'. M. Stopped one hour. ^ ''■"•'•'■^^' '•'"'"■ '^"^•'^'• 

June 22. — Passed Baton Uouge, the capital of Louisiana ; 
reached I^ew Orleans at 5 p. m., but remained on the boat all 
night. 

June 23. — At 9 a. m. the steamboat carried us below the 
cit}-, where we went ashore and camped on the old Ivattlefield 
where General Jackson defeated the English army January 8, 
1814, Camp Chalmette. The camp is in a tine grove; Brigade 
Jleadquarters in a large sugar retinerv. 




394 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



June 24. — General Opclycke has been assigned to com- 
mand of Jhe division. General Elliott has gone North under 
orders from Lieutenant General Grant. 

June 25. — Sunday inspection at 9 a. m. Sermon at 10 
by tlie Cliaplain of the 64th Ohio, in the sugar house. 

June 26. — The Commissary furnished ice to-day. Melons 
and fruit are sold by peddlers. 

June 27. — Major General Sheridan is a visitor at General 
Opdycke's quarters to-day. He commands the Military Di- 
vision of the Southwest, and has become famous since he was 
our division commander. • 

June 30. — In addition to the loss of Companies A and 
B, we have lost from the rolls in the month of June a long 
list of sick and wonnded, 'viz. Discharged, Sergt. John A. 
Canon, Howard Bascomb, Bates Lerontie, G. A. Robinson^ 
Lorenzo Row and William D. Tod, of C; Edward McLane 
and James W. Woffinden, of D; Sergt. 
Thomas Sharp and Thomas McMillen, of 
E; Christian jSTewcomer, of F; Jolm 
Adams and Tobias C. Breece, of G ; 
James E. Archer, Cassius C. Birch, Val- 
entine Piienger, of H ; Sergt. Isaiah Bell, 
Corp. Elijah Kessler, John Bohn, George 
Brown, Simon Figley, David S. Phillips, 
James Prince and Daniel Richardson, of 
I; ITathaniel I). Amidon, William II. 
E.Mwi;v II. FnsNAKiiT. A. Atvvood, Johu II. Brandcbcrry, Adelbert 
Curtis and Edmond Swett, of K. Philander Odell, of C, 
Peter Knapp, of II and Ord. Sergt. James II. Hanson, of I, 
released from Andersonvillo Prison, were discharged in dune. 
William Dailey, of H, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps 
for loss of arm, was discharged in June. 

July 1. — The request for muster-out (d" the regiment 
for\var(h'(l V)y Colonol Brutl", May 27, has found its way through 




COMPANY B MUSTERED OUT. 



39S 



tlie mazes of red tape to tlie War Department and back again^ 

Jul}' 2 (Sunday). — Inspection. Preaching by Chaplain 
Powelh Text, Geii., II, 7. 

Jnly 3. — General Order No. 45, by General Opdycke^ 
read to-day, requires thorough policing of camp. 

July 4. — Almost everybody except guards have had 
passes to visit the city for some part of the day or even- 
ing. Sky rockets indicate a celebration of the anniversary. 
Ocean steamers are assembling here, it is said, to take our 
Corps to Texas. Wood's division has marching orders. 

July 5. — Wood's division is embarking for Texas. 

July 7. — Captain Powers, having been notified of the 
muster-out of his Company (B) at iSTash- 
ville, June 20, is relieved from duty as 
acting Assistant Adjutant General, and 
goes home. A general order read to-day 
names the statt* for First Brigade as fol- 
lows : Capt. Charles T. Ch^rk, 125th, is 
acting Assistant Adjutant General ; Capt. 
Edward P. Bates, 125th, is acting Assis- 
tant Quartermaster ; Capt. John H. Rent, 
51st Indiana, Provost Marshal ; Capt. 
Henry E. Rives, IT. S. A., Commissary 
of Subsistence ; Lieut. R. C. Lane, 40th 
Indiana, acting Assistant Inspector General : Lieut. 11. X. 
Steadman, 125th, Aid-de-Camp ; Surg. E. A. Merrifield, 44th 
Illinois, Chief Surgeon. Captain Powers takes with him a 
valuable document, the value of which will not lessen with 
age. General 0[)dycke wrote a letter before we left Xash- 
ville, expressing his appreciation of the Captain's services, 
specially praising him for good conduct at Mission Ridge, 
Dandridge, Rocky Face Ridge, in the Atlanta cam[)aign and 
at Franklin and Xashvillc, and I'ecommending him for ap- 
pointment in the regular anny, and hn- l)revot rank of Lieu- 




CiKoKdi: \V. ClIAI'.MAN, 

(IS'.lo.) 



396 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



tenant Colonel, and it lias been endorsed by Generals Elliott, 
Stanley and Sheridan. The following men of Company B 
M-ere mnstered-ont with the Company, riz. Ord. Sergt. Rufns 
E. Woods, Sergeants Albert Matthews, F. H. Knight andW. 
li. Fitch ; Corporals, Sylvester T. Harshman, Lyman Root, 
Wallace J. Henry, Isaiah Brown, John Thompson and Wil- 
liam Wasson ; Privates, Oliver Brown, Walter Brown, Jesse 
H. Care}', James Cranston, W^arren H. Fishel, Caleb French, 
Harvey Giddings, John Gillis, Eraor}' Gilmore, Thomas 
Lontzenhizar, Norris Meacham, Apollos P. Morse, John C. 
Mossman, George Murdock, Ahiiond 
Peck, Jas. M. Pollock, Jones K. Warren, 
Patrick Welch and E. C. Woodworth. 
The following were transferred to Com- 
pany C, viz.: Thomas Brown, G. L. 
Cook, C. O. Fitch, John W. King, George 
Pigott, E. M. Reynolds, G. A. Robinson 
and George Stratton. Sergt. George P. 
Davis and Darins Britton, absent sick, 
were mustered-out in October. Henry N. 
Trac}' was discharged at camp of paroled 
prisoners, Camp Chase, Ohio. Apollos P. 
Morse was taken sick and went home before the regiment 
Ic.'t Ohio, and a few months later sent a substitute, who came 
0:1 and served to the end of the war and mustered-out under 
the name of his principal. The real name of the real soldier 
ill this case was Joel Carr. Orlando Bund}^ and Franklin J. 
Fobes were discharged from the Veteran Reserve Corps at 
same time with muster-out of the Company. William T). 
Vesey, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, was promoted 
to Cajitain in the 177th Ohio in September, 18(54. 

July 10. — It was reported in camp that President John- 
son had been assassinated, but the report was soon found to 
l)u false. 




Thomas D. Comeufdud, 
C (1895). 



FROM NFAV ORLEANS TO TEXAS. 



39r 



July 15. — Marching orders for to-iiiorro\v. 

July 16. — At 1 p. -M. niarclied to the shiit " ( Miaiiijiiou." 
Drew live days rations. Boiled the pork on shore. At 8 
p. M. went on board. The 125th is on the top deck. It is a 
large ship and four regiments, with di\isioii and brigade head- 
quarters, are on board. The shi[) stai-tcd down stream some 
time after midnight. 

July 17. — Passed Forts Jackson and IMiillips at 1 p. m. 
At 3 p. M. we are out of siglit of land on the (inlf of Mexico, 
and a good many are sea sick. 

July 18. — We liave experienced a storm at sea. 125th 
men were ordered to go below and sleep where they could 
find room. Very few were able to sleep. 
The sliip tossed about, and a majority 
were sea sick. The thunder seemed 
louder and tlie rain fall more copious 
than on land. This morning the weaves 
roll high, but the storm has passed. Most 
of the men are getting over their sick- 
ness. Some are very sick. 

July 19. — The sea is not so rough 
to-day. At 3 p. m. land was sighted, and 
at 4 the ship anchored near the entrance >^ekemiah chkis, a y\^'-My). 
to Mattagorda Bay, ten miles from Indianola. Otlier 
steamers are anchored near us. 

July 20. — A large number of steamers, all loaded with 
troops, are at anchor here. 

July 21. — A small steamer came out to-day to take us 
otf, but on attempting to lay alongside was dashed against 
our ship and somewhat injured. She tlien steamed away and 
passed inside the bar. The light draft sliips passed inside 
to-day. The " Champion " and a few others can not pass 
the bar. 

Juh' 22. — Three regiments taken off today; 125th left 
on the " Champion." 




398 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




July 23. — This morning tlie ca}>tured blockade runner, 
<' Zenobia," came out to take us ott. The transfer was an 
exciting incident. The "Zenobia" anchored about 100 
yards from the " C-hampion,'' a large rope was stretched from 
one ship's deck to the other, on which was a ring with a rope 
-attached to it, by means of which two sailors kept a small 
boat in position. The boat passed from one ship to the 
other without dithcnlty, but it was not easy to get into. Our 
men passed down a stair, and as a wave brought the boat 
beneath, dropped in. A good many were nervous about it, 
and the man who tried to stand after his feet touched the 
boat, was sure to pitch headlong. The 
men on deck enjoyed the sport, but each 
in turn found the job dittieult. (^uite a 
numl)er lost their guns and others lost 
property. All were transferred at last, 
and the " Zenobia " weighed anchor and 
A ^L^ steamed up to Indianola. There the regi- 

g^^^^^^^^^B ment was transferred to a small vessel 
^^^^ ^^^^^k propelled by sail, and started for Port 
^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lavaca, twelve miles up the bay. The 
Lee cattrei.l, f (isK). \^(y^^\ ^^yas badly crowded, so much so that 

men could not move about. The wind was light and pro- 
gress slow. It was long after dark when we disembarked at 
Port Lavaca, and all were glad to get on solid ground, once 
more. 

July 24. — The division had gone towards Victoria. "We 
were told to enjoy ourselves until noon while waiting for 
wagons to return from the camp. We looked the town 
over, took salt water baths, ate melons, and enjoyed the 
occasion. At 1 i'. m. the bugle called us together, and at 2 
we marched. The course was across a level plain covered 
with coarse grass. No trees, no water; the heat of the sun 
was beyond our previous experience. It was one of the 
:most dittieult marches we ever made. The otiicers relaxed 



CAMP IR WTN IN TEXAS. 



399 



rules and permitted strag^e;ling. Kuapsaeks had hoeii taken 
in the wagons fortunately. It was long after dark when the 
last straggler reached camp, but all came in safely at last. 
On this date promotions were made of several otiicers. 
First Lieut. Charles C. Chapman, to Cajttain of I ; First 
Lieut. Hezekiali X. Steadman, to Cajitain of K; First Lieut. 
Charles Leimbach, to Captain ; Sharon French, of C, to 
First Lieutenant of F ; Benjamin F. Gardner, of E, to First 
Lieutenant of I, and Charles C. Coats, of G, to First Lieu- 
tenant. Coats lost an arm at Kenesaw Mountain. Leim- 
bach is to succeed Captain Bates, but as we have not enough 
men for Bates to muster in as Major, Leind)ach can not 
muster in as Captain. 

July 25. — Our brigade is encamped on the Lavaca 
River, eight or ten miles from Lavaca Bay. On the banks of 
the stream are live oak trees covered with moss, hanging in 
festoons from the l)ranches, and the moss is infested with 
insects and small snakes. On many of 
the trees are grape vines full of grapes. 
Aside from those trees there is no shade 
as far as the ej'e can reach. We are in 
the midst of a sandy plain, covered with a 
coarse grass on which hirge herds of cattle 
and ponies graze and thrive. The land in 
this vicinity is owned by a Mexican, whose 
rancli is a mile from camp, and is the only 
housewithin several miles in anjalirection. 
The proprietor and two of his sons are ab- i-kk ca n in.i.i.. v i isir,,. 
sent serving in the Mexican army, opposed to the ISLiximilian 
government, leaving at home his wife, several small childi-en, 
the oldest a boy of fourteen, and a lot of negroes who were 
until recently his slaves. The only fence on the [)lace is a 
strong one, enclosing a half acre, called a corral. The 
camp is said to be on the identical spot where Colonel 
L'win's command, of General Taylor's army, tirst cami>ed on 




400 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Mexican -^oW during the Mexican war, and is named " Camp 
Irwin." It is certain that the Fourth Corps is doomed to 
some weeks of banishment from the civilized workh The 
mosquitoes are hirge, numerous and powerfuh Mosquito- 
nets have been issued to us, a new thing in our soklier out- 
fit. No attemjit will be made to drill ; dress parade in the 
evening and Sunday inspection will be about the only occa- 
sions when we will wear coats or belts. There are to be no- 
pickets oi' camp guards. ]^o one will want to leave camp 
in daylight. The heat is too much to face and there is no 
place worth visiting within ten miles. 

The onlv guards will be tln^se watcliino- Commissarv and 
Quartermaster stores, and shelters are already put up to 
shield them from the sun's rays. Why are we here ? What 
did the Fourth Corps do or leave undone in its long career 
that led to this banishment? It is probably for a double 

purpose. The government wishes 
to keep a force under arms until 
things have settled down in the 
Southern States, and besides it is 
probable that France will be re- 
(juested to withdraw her troops 
from Mexico and take notice of the 
ability and readiness of the United 
States to insist upon a due observ- 
ance of the so-called "Monroe doc- 
trine.'' If the French troops are 
not called home we uuiy have an- 
other war, this time with a foreign 
foe. We did not enlist for two wars, but will wager our 
pocket knives that the boysjwould rather tight Maximilian's 
army than stay here. 

July 27. — Division Headquarters are witli the Third 
Brigade, about two miles down stream. The Third Division 
is at Victoria. Oiii' horses were left at New Oi'leans lor 




Edward Hkimeh, C (18!).')). 




William Duncan, 1 (1895) 



Born "^raivli !!•, ISM; i»;irciits, .luiix and Nancy (Casky) Duxcan ; 
left Millersburg Aciulcmy .luiu' 14. 1S()2, and enlisted; was captured and 
paroled Sept. 15, 18()2; was exehauged and rc-eidistcd Aug. Hi, l.SCc'; si-rved 
to end of war. 



CAMP IR WIN IN TEXAS. 



401 



want of transportation. Wc liavc procured ponies from tlie 
Mexican family. 

July 28. — General Opdycke has gone I^s^ortli on leave of 
absence. Brevet Brigadier General Conrad is in coniinand 
of the division. 

An order was read })rohil)iting enlisted men from going 
more than two miles from camp without a pass from Brigade 
Headquarters. Three men died in the 
hospital last night. Neither of them 
belonged to our regiment. The sunsets 
are beautiful, rpiite as fine as on the 
ocean. 

July 29. — Games are raging in camp; 
chess, checkers and cards. The boys 
have a new g.ime of cards, called -'strap 
poker." The one who loses holds out 
his hand tor the winners to strike with 
the flat side of a ruler. It is a little too wh.mam n. ij:i:. h. 
severe to get into general favor in polite society. The com- 
missary issues tirst-class beef. A good steer costs only five 
dollars here. 

July 30 (Sunday). — ISTo preaching to-day. Out of 
respect for the day games are suspended, and every one 
appears to be reading or writing letters. Sanford Armstrong, 
Company C, has been detailed for duty at Division Head- 
(puirters. 

July 31. — The monthl}' return to-day shows: 




Present 11 

On detached duty 5 

Absent with leave 1 

Absent sick 



officers, 207 men, of whom 17 are sick 
65 " 
" 10 " 

71 " 



Total 17 officers, 353 men. 



Discharged in July on account of wounds or disability : 
Morgan Gray, of C; David W. Sheets, of E; Manoah P. 



402 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Harris, of F; Robert W. Thompson (Color Sergeant), of G; 
John Close, of I, and William H. France, of K. 

August 1. — The heat would be unbearable, but for 
strong breezes from the gulf. Twice a day with the change 
of the tide the wind blows inland for a couple of hours. "We 
are free from mosquitoes while the wind Ijlows. Lieut. J. H. 
Blackburn, of F, is a})i>ointed Acting x\djutant, Thoman 
having mustered in as Captain of D. 

George Putnam ot II, died to-day in the hospital. A 
letter from John Daley, of G, says he has been serving on the 
provost guard at Chicago, Ills., since his transfer to the Vet- 
eran Reserve Corps, and was mustered out of service July 22. 
August 2. — Chaphiin Powell, 65th Ohio, came up to- 
day. We have five roll calls daily now. Some of the boys 

luxve been roaming over the coun- 
try, and the frequent roll calls are to 
avoid the necessity of putting on 
camp guards. There is a camp ru- 
mor that we are to be mustered out 
soon. Every one repeats it ; no one 
believes it. Tlionuis Fay and Rees 
C. Davis had an adventure to-day. 
In some way they excited the notice 
of a broad-horned bull, and the irate 
bovine charged. Having neither for- 
tification nor arms, they ran, Fay 
sylvanus bakek, a (18'.)0). jiunping the creek and Davis landing 
in the stream, at which point their pursuer gave up the chase. 
August 3. — A wagon train started for the New Braun- 
fels district, ostensibly for grain foi- the animals, but the 
teamsters and train guards are liberally su}>plied with coffee 
and sugar, to trade for melons, sweet potatoes, etc. 

August 4. — The heat was very oppressive this morning 
until about 10, when the tide changed and the wind from 
the gulf gave us a respite. 




CAMP IR WIN IN TEXAS. 



403 



Sergt. R. M. Steele, of Company I, has been assigned to 
duty as Brigade Forage Master. His chief pleasure in the 
appointment is the privilege of riding a pony. The otiicers' 
horses have come up at last, but they retain a few ponies. 
Dress parade to-day for the first time in this cam[). 

August 5. — The daily routine is reveille and roll call at 
6 A. .M.; l)reakfast 6:30 ; then police the camps ; a. m., guard 
mount, about five men from each regiment ; 10 a. .m., roll call ; 
12 M., roll call and dinner; 3 p. m., roll call; 5 i'. m., roll call 
and dress parade ; retreat at sundown, and an hour later roll 
call and taps. The wagon train returned 
this evening, and we are well supplied 
with sweet potatoes and melons. 

August 6 (Sunday). — Inspection at 
9 a. iM. Preaching in 57th Indiana at 10 
A. M. and 3 p. m. The services were well 
attended. An order was read to pardon 
all the men who left the command with- 
out authority while en route from Nash- 
ville, who have returned to duty. All 
such cases had been previously disposed 
of in the 125th. 

August 7. — Andrew J. Couch, of Company I, and Joe 
Williams, of F, have been detailed as teamsters. 

August 8. — Canie to Indianola with a wagon train to- 
day. Will return in the morning. Captain Bates, A. A. Q. 
M. for brigade is here. Fish and melons are cheap. We 
get Mexican silver for change. Citizens say fractional cur- 
rency has never been used here, and that before the war 
closed greenbacks were seldom seen. The currency of the 
neighborhood is silver. 

August 9. — When the wind began to blow from the 
Gulf this morning we started for camp, and arrived all right. 

August 10. — Sergt. Fred. Allen, of D, has been detailed 
as a clerk for Captain Clark, at Brigade Headquarters. Be- 




^\\.\. Sami 1.1. I'. BuoWN, 

(ioth O. V. 1. 
Killed at (^hickamauga. 



404 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



ceived a mail to-day. Onl}' letters. No newspapers. We 
know very little about proceedings in the United States. 

August 11. — Captain Steadnian is making a collection. 
He has a large jar of alcohol in which he has placed a horned 
frog, a hooded adder, a thunder snake, several tarantulas, 
centipedes, etc. 

August 12. — We have a large numhor of sick men. 
August 13 (Sunday). — Inspection. N^o preaching in 
tliis brigade on account of tlie Cha}i- 
laiiTs absence. 

August 14. — Sergt. J. S. Stinger 
and Joe Keys, of F, went \\\\\\ the 
wagons to get country produce. 
Sharon French, of Conqiany C, has 
been promoted to First Lieutenant 
of Com[»any E, to date August 5. 
C-aptain Lane, Brigade Ins})ectoi', 
will inspect the several regiments; 
125tli comes last on the list and will 
be reached on the Kith. Capt. 
( .vrr. CMAm.Ks c (HAr.MA.N. j)_ ^ Stiugcr is uuder treatment tor 

a boil, and Lieut. K. Iv. llidse, is ill. 

August 15. — We buried a soldier of the 44th Illinois to- 
day. If he had been discliarged at Nasliville, he might have 
lived many years. C. L. Gilbert, of ]^, has a letter from 
home stating that his cousins, George and John Gilbert, died 
in rebel prisons. Jolin was ;i member of Company 1), and 
was wounded at Kesaca and captured. George belonged to 
another regiment. 

August 16. — A Inisy (hiy, cleaning guns and accoutre- 
ments and polishing up) generally for inspection, which took 
l>lace this afternoon. At 9 p. m. the wagons returned. 
Stinger and Keys brought chickens, sweet potatoes and 
melons. 




CAMP IR WIN IN TEXAS. 



405 



August 17. — In a lie;ivy tlmiider stdnn to-day a tree 
was blown down, fell across, and ci-uslied some of the 
Brigade Headquarters tents. Colonel Russell had a narrow 
escape. His tent was next to the tree. The statf officers 
heard it coming and escaped in good time. 

August 18. — A small mail came to-day. There is 
something wrong with the arrangements for forwarding 
mail. Every one complains. Letters received speak of 
other letters and newspapers forwarded, but which have not 
readied camp. It is prol)ablc that very few steamers pl}^ 
between New Orleans and IndianoUi. 

August 19. — Caittain Wilson, mustering officer o\ this 
division, has requested a report of dates 
of expiration of term of service of tbe 
several regiments. That set the grape 
vine in motion, and tiie camp is full of 
reports of tlie most conflicting and im- 
prol)al)le character imaginable. 

August 20 (Sunday). — Inspection. 
No preaching in the First Brigade ; went 
to hear Chaplain Powell preach in Third 
Brigade. Cajitain Vallendar has a boih 
Lieutenant Payne is under the Surgeon's 
care. Lieutenant Ilulse is still off duty. 

August 21. — Colonel Brnffi varied the routine to-day 
by having battalion drill instead of dress parade'. Ivnmoi'S 
are plenty. News is scarce. A number of officers have 
gone to Indianola, Avhere they will take a schooner and sail 
to Shell Island, expecting to get a lot of fine sbells and have 
a good time. 

August 22. — The only break in the routine to-day was 
mush and milk for supper. George Chapman brought the 
milk from the Mexican's ranche. The mosquito is a foe not 
to be despised. Our regular practice is to take a lighted 
candle to bed, then tuck in the mosquito bar and wait for 




(ih;()i;(,i-; 1'i;kkins. c ( IS'.C)). 



4o6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



the pests concealed in tlie clothing to come forth. After kill- 
ing all we can find, the lights are extinguished. 

August 23. — The officers returned from Indianola. 
Their trip was not a success. They sailed to Shell Island, 
anchored near, rowed to land, but were soon recalled by the 
Captain of the schooner, who was afraid of a squall. They 
weighed anchor and started on the return trip, but just 
before reaching tlie harbor encountered a squall ; were 
obliged to take in sail and drop anchor, and were then 
tossed about for half an hour until nearly all of the lands- 
men were very sick. It was long after night when the}' 
finally reached the wharf, and the party went directly to the 

hotel, where the proprietor found it 
somewhat difiicult to provide beds 
for so many. John Henson, of II, 
has been ordered to report at Vic- 
toria for duty on the U. S. military 
railroads. 

August 24. — A shower of rain 
al)out noon. After dress parade a 
drizzling rain commenced and con- 
tinued until after taps. 

August 25. — Indications are 
favorable for wet weather ; frequent 

William Heckiiolt. F (1S!)M. , i • ^i i 

showers during the day. 

August 2G. — The river has risen rapidly. The cook and 
a couple of assistants went up stream and got some logs for 
fuel, floated them down and had a lively time landing them 
at the camp. Frequent sliowers during the day and evening. 
A good many found tlu'ir l)lankets and clothing wet this 
morning. 

August 27. — The sun shines upon us again. We had 
ch-aring-up showei's during the day. No Sunday services. 
'J'hc i-i\'er is raging. The s[»rings from which we have ob- 
tained water are overflowed. It is imp()ssil)le to cross to 




CAMP IR WIN IN TEXAS. 



407 



Brigade Headquarters. The 40tli Indiana left to-daj for some 
point on the coast. 

August 28. — The rain lias ceased. Everybody liad tlieii- 
blankets and clothing in the sun this morning. We get no 
mails. 

August 2'J. — A new game is raging. Some one found a 
lot of marbles for sale in a store at Indianola and brought 
them to camp. It would surprise our friends in Ohio to see 
the intense interest in the games. We are only big boys, after 
all. Perbaps the extraordinary zeal results from the same 
motive that prompts the prisoner in a dark cell to throw 
away a pin and then search for it. We must do something. 

August 30. — Hot, sultry weather. Xo mail, no news; 
not even a grapevine rumor. No dress parade. 

August 31. — Mustered for paj', l)ut of course there is no 
paymaster in Texas. 

Discharged in August for wounds or disabihty : L. II. 
Curtis and E. M. Reynolds, of C; Corp. William S. Strahl, 
of E; Jobn Nortb, of F; Charles F. 
Davis and Samuel Getz, of I, and Daniel 
Kohler, of K. 

September 1. — That long delayed 
mail came before breakast. Almost every- 
body received one or two letters, but we 
are sure many more are lodged some- 
wliere en route. Those received are of 
recent dates, and must have come right 
through from Ohio. There has been a 
reorganization, by which the Fourth .lop. xason, i. 

Corps ceased to exist. This division is now style<l " Second 
^,, division, Central District of Texas.'' Ord. Sergt. John H. 
# Whitaker, of D, was discharged to-day for disability, and 
Hudson Fitch becomes Orderly Sergeant. 

September 2. — A fresh supply of sweet potatoes arrived 
to-day. Walked up to division hospital. Only a half dozen 
125th men there now, and they are all convalescent. 




4o8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



September 3 (Sunday). — Inspection, No preaching in 
First Brigade. Chaplain Leonard has not returned from 
New Orleans. 

September 4. — A part}' of officers, consisting of Colonel 
Russell and staff, Col. William Clark, 26th Ohio; Colonel Bruff, 
and one or two officers from each regiment, are on a tishing 
trip at the bay near the mouth of the Lavaca River. 

September 5. — Up at sunrise. 
Fish and oysters for breakfast. By 
9 o'clock the heat became oppres- 
sive. There was no shade outside 
the wagon, and it was voted to 
return to camp. 

September 6. — The daily rou- 
tine, except that we had a battalion 
drill this evening instead of dress 
parade. 

September 7. — Surgeon McKim 
tendered his resignation, assigning 
business matters at home requiring 
his immediate personal attention, as his reason for so doing. 
It was not accepted. George Waterman, of C\ was dis- 
charged on this date. 

September 8. — The breeze from the gulf was cooler than 
usual to-day. This evening it is reported that orders for the 
muster-out of this regiment are at (\)r})S Ileadcpiarters. True 
or false everyone is excited by the report. We learn that a 
number of 125th men serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps, 
have been mustered out, viz.: Israel Fagley, of J), in May; 
Simon IL Andrews, of C, and Linus S. Gilbert, of D, in 
June; Thomas C. Evans and Kvan (i. Morris, of D, William 
Astle, of II, and Franklin Fulton, of K, in July ; Bert IIollo- 
way, of E, Mathew J)ulyl)on and AllVed Maxon, of F, John 
F. Burr, of IT, and Lewis N. Robinson, of K, in August. 
Other 125th men still serving in the Veteran Reserve Corps, 




SERfJT. l''i:i;]i. J.. Ai,i.i:n, I). 



PREPARING TO MUSTER OUT. 



409 



80 far as known, are : George S. Hill, of I) ; George L. 
Arnold, William Chamberlain, Thomas Elder, Joseph Y. 
Randolph and James Woodard, of E ; Claude Clere and 
Marion Woodruff, of F ; Ferdinand Grime and Charles H. 
Knapp, of G ; Patrick Donoghue, of I. 

September 9. — Everybody is happy to-day in the belief 
that we are going home soon. 

September 10. — A very hot Sunday. No preaching in 
camp. 

September 11. — A cool wind from the gulf this morning 
reduced the temperature slightly. 

September 12. — Attended the funeral of the Surgeon of 
the 57th Indiana, and witnessed Masonic ceremonies in addi- 
tion to military honors. 

September 13. — They are rigging up tables on which to 
make out the muster-out rolls. The blanks have not arrived. 
Lieutenant Postlewait is having trouble 
with his wounded leg, and is under the 
surgeon's care. 

September 14. — Captain Chapman 
is ill. 

September 15 Brigade inspection 

is in progress. Our regiment was in- 
spected this forenoon. Showers of rain 
in tlie afternoon have lowered the tem- 
perature. 

September 16.— No tidings of the wiluam m. ohk, c (is95). 
muster-out rolls. The boys begin to lose hope. No mails 
for several days past. 

September 17 (Sunday). — Inspection. No preaching in 
this brigade and no dress parade, but the order for muster- 
out came. Colonel Brutf read it to the regiment. Every- 
body is cheerful to-night. 

September 18. — The blanks for muster-out rolls were 
received at 8 a. m., and the work of making them com- 
menced forthwith. 




4io 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



September 19. — Work on the rolls progressing. Our 
men on detached duty are coming to the regiment. Several 
arrived to-day. We are going home. Captain Steadman 
was relieved from duty as Aide-de-Camp and came over to 
assist in making out the rolls. 

September 20. — It is said we will be mustered out on 
Saturday. Charles M. Maltby, of K, is promoted to tirst 
Lieutenant, too late to be mustered. Sergt. Jonathan C. 
Giddings, of D, has been discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, for 
disability. Philip M. Sigler, of F, has been discharged at 
Camp Dennison, Ohio. Peter Zeller, of H, was discharged 
at Benton Barracks, Missouri. 

September 22. — The muster-rolls are 
complete. We have had no mails for a 
good many days. 

September 23. — We are citizens. 
The mustering otHcer arrived this morn- 
ing. Called the roll of each company 
in turn. Each man signed the roll. We 
t'Xpect to start home on Monday. 

List of othcers and men mustered 
out with the command September 23, 

O.scAi: ()i:k, I\ ilMidi. 1SP>^- 

Field and Staff. — Lieut. Col. Joseph Brutf, Surgeon 
William E. McKim. 

Company C. — Capt. Edward P. Bates, First Lieut. Rich- 
ard K. TTulse, First Sergt. Mark Keith, Sergt. Sidney Tliggins, 
Sergt. Clinton H. Phelps, Sergt. John Mur})liy, Sergt. Zalmon 
F. Morris, (^)lor Corp. William S.Thoi'ii, Cor}), dames Sanner, 
Corp. Ivobert I'arker, (-orp. Rees C. Davis, Corp. (Mark 
Van Wie, Corp. Archibald Hill, Cor}>. Thomas D. Comerford, 
Sanfoi'd Ai'mstrong, Wm. ]\. Arnold, John T. Bell, Jared 
Bouton, Knocli l>oyd, Edward Brinier, Charles Brown, 
Walter Ciicney, iici-nard Comerford, Gilbert L. Cook, 
James (yorcoran, Thomas Fay, V. Orasmus Fitch, John Hall, 




MUSTER- OUT R OLLS. 



411 



John Ilandley, Kinimel K. Harrison, John Avery Harwood, 
Frederick Keck, John W. King-, Qiiincy Latin, James W. 
Leet, William McKinley, John D. Mahan, Samuel Meachem, 
Joseph Miller, William M. Orr, John C. Osborn, George 
Perkins, Thomas R. Pinks, Ralph H. Porter, Minos Radcliff, 
Warren Sawdy, Seneca St. John, George Stratton, Michael 
Swartz, William Thompson, Alexander Vesey, Nathan C. 
Warden, Lewis Williams, Cassius M. Zedaker and George 
Rummage. Leroy Fuller and George Pigott, absent sick, 
were mustered out from hospital. 

Company I). — Capt. Freeman Thoman, First Lieut. 
Charles Leimbach, First Sergt. Hudson Fitch, Sergt. Edwin 
D. Scripture, Sergt. John S. Williams, 
Sergt. Frederick L. Allen, Corp. Sylva- 
nus Force, Corp. Henry E. Oharo, Corp. 
Charles Smith, Corp. Henry Young, Corp. 
Thomas Gillen, Corp. David B. Krider, 
Corp. Almond Hitching, Hiram Allen, 
Isaac S. Black, Henry E. Dawson, John 
Flack, C. Lafayette Gilbert, Henry Hist, 
John King, James Morrison, James Mul- 
laney, John Putnam, John Walters, 
Horace Wetmore. Andrew J. Gill en geouce millek, i (ihso). 
was absent on account of wound ; probably discharged at 

hospital. 

Company E.— Capt. Waldern S. Williams, First Lient. 

Sharon French, First Sergt. John Kime, Sergt. William Y. 
Nickerson, Sergt. Francis M. Brown, Sergt. James A. Needs, 
Sergt. John A. Bell, Corp. Clarkson F. Randolph, Corp. 
Duckworth Hargraves, Corp. Carsner Booker, Corp. Hiel 
M. Danley, Corp. William McGachey, Corp. Conrad Michael, 
Corp. E. Prindle Phifer, William Anthony, James R. Camp- 
bell, Martin Genster (served in Company H), Jolm McFar-, 
land, Tarlton Mason, James H. Merry hue, James B. Scott 
Charles Thompson, John M. Tippie, Nathan Woodyard. 




4t2 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Company F.— Capt. Charles T. Clark, First Lieut. 
Josiah H. Blackburn, First Sergt. Henry G. Russell, Sergt. 
Jacob Jewell, Sergt. Jeremiah S. Stinger, Color Sergt. John 
Warman, Sergt. John R. Clark, Corp. ISTathan R.Hall, Corp. 
Henry Whitmer, Corp. James Willemin, Corp. John Getz, 
Corp. Adam L. Forney, Corp. William Beckholt, Corp. Wil- 
liam Beeny, Corp. William B. 8cott, George W. Chapman, 
Daniel Cooper, James C. Fleming, Henry Graham, Joseph 
H. Keys, William Lowry, John McXurland, William M. 
Mc'Nui'land, Jeiierson Melick, John P. Reagh, Elmos N. 
Ross, Jacob Sautter (served in Company H), James Foster 
Scott, Clay C. Searight, Micliael Sullivan, Elijah Tipton, 
Carey Tuttle, Joseph Williams, Alexander Yoder, Jacob 
Yoder. Eli Yoder, absent sick, was mustered out in October. 
Company G. — Ca[»t. Daniel A. Stinger, First Lieut. Henry 
A. Donaldson, First Sergt. Joseph E. Pero, Sergt. James 
Logan, Sergt. John Sim[)Son, Sergt. James M. Reynolds, 
Sergt. Alexander Van Gorder, Corp. 
Thomas R, Hanna, Corp. Michael Stras- 
baugh, Corp. David Shatter, Corp. Rich- 
ard J. Hands, William Benson, Charles 
CKxK'll, John Donevan, Joso^jIi Garety, 
Edwin Hudson, David Lyons, William 
O. Major, Daniel Mead, Anton Misler 
(served in Company H), Alexander Ran- 
dall, Daniel Shay, Lewis Spickler, James 
Tannyhan, James Wade, Calvin Young 
johnd. MAnAN,c(is95). .j,„i j[y„,.y liicliards, colored undercook. 

Several Company G men were al)seiit on detached duty or 
sick, and were mustered out about tlie same time, mz : 
Senseny J. Strealy, Christopher Berry, Harrison H. Fitch, 
Traverse A. Hall, William Hartnum, George H. Richardson, 
David Robson, Jolin Smith, George S. Stoker. 

Company IL — Capt, Anthony Vallendar, First Lieut. 
Darius W. Payne, First Sergt. Henry Ross, Sergt. Leroy 




MUSTER-OUT ROLLS. 



413 



Thompson, Sergt. John Duffy, Sergt. John Brandan, Sergt. 
Koah H. Willey, Corp. Samuel Joslin, Corp. Fayette Darling, 
Corp. William Mason, Corp. 11. Silliieisch, Corp. Anslem 
Meyer, Corp. Jolm Henson, Theodore Allardt, Oscar C. 
Ames, Charles Eckerman, Valentine Gleich, Herman F. 
Jones, Frederick Nauck, August Pietsch, Michael Quirk, 
William H. Rawdon, George Seyfert, Merrick Q. Smith, 
Lester C. Stolliker, Frederick Wolf. 

Company I. — Ca})t. Charles ('. Chapman, First Lieut. 
Benjamin Gardner, First Sergt. Francis Cassil, Sergt. John 
W. Stoner, Sergt. Reuhin M. Steele, Sergt. Richard Roessler, 
Sergt. Thomas Barrett, CV)rp. William 
Corbin, Coi"}*. Simon P. Primer, Corp. 
George Rath, Corp. Charles Wetz, Corp. 
Henry Phillips, Corp, William Caughey, 
Corj). Augustus Jacobs, Corp. William 
Dunker, Thomas Z. J3al)Cock, John Baker, 
Jonathan Ballinger,Joseph M.Brown, An- 
drew J. Couch, Aurelius Curtis, Wm. W. 
Davidson, Wm. Duncan, Albert W. Fisher, 
Joseph Friend, Isaac Gibson, David Gor- 
rell, Samuel Green, David Gunter, James lieit. thus. r. mahan 
Haley, John J. Hardy, Edward Hatfield, Michael Hill, John 
Hudson, Samuel A. Justice, John Kibble, Harrison Lee (real 
name Alfred L. Gilpen), Crowell Mikesell, Edward E. Mil- 
burn, George Miller, Ohio Miller, Charles Miller, Job Nason, 
James Pepple, Benjamin J. Porter, Elden R. Porter (real 
name E. R. Daley), Albert Radel, Thomas Richmond, John 
C. Rockafield, Gustave Seydler, George H. Stull, William N. 
Swihart, William Tufford, August Wel)er, William Wrether- 
ford, Peter Zellcr, Elijah Zufall. 

Company K. — Capt. Hezekiah N. Steadman, First Lieut. 
Alexander H. Postlewait, First Sergt. Charles M. Maltby, 
Sergt. Josiah W. Morgan, Sergt. John Porter, Sergt. Oren 
Payne, Sergt. John F. Sherer, Sergt. John R. Ratliburn, 




414 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Corp. Montezuma St. John, Corp. Daniel W. Mathews, Corp. 
David Shafter, Corp, James M. Carter, Corp. Chauncey 
W. Aniidon, Cor}). Thomas Gibbons, Corp. Jolui Crouch, 
Corp. William H. Carr, .lolin S. Alo:oe, Major P. Amy, Eli 
Burley, William Davidson, Jacob Finsterwald, David Fox, 
Robert L. Fulton, Zei)lianiali Fulton, Noah W. Ferguson, 
Warren S. Hackett, John Ilardnian, Benjamin Harman, 
William Jefters, David Knapp, Nicholas Knapp, Morris K. 
Lowry, Henry G. Masters, Jos. D. Masters, Charles Meeker, 
Jacob Menen, David Moler, Oscar Orr, George Overmeycr, 
Michael Sanders, Horace F. Swift, John Warner, William 
Welling, Ira Wooley, William Young. Daniel S. Ilalstead, 
Charles Finsterwald and Henry Warren, 
absent sick, were discharged without 
joining. 

September 24. — No Sunday ins[)ec 

tion. S})ent the day visiting friends in 

the other regiments. At 7 p. M. Chaplain 

1^ ^^H^^^ Powell came over from the Third Brigade 

JHK w^~ '"'*^ [)reached a farewell sermon. Text, 

Kip*^ ^ .lohn XIX : 30. He had a large congrega- 

L^L : 1 lion and all were interested in the sermon. 

.loiiN a.can(in,(o.s;i5). ^g have niareliing orders for to-morrow. 
September 25.— Reveille at 2 a. m. "Strike tents" at 
3. At 4 A. M. the 2()th Oliio band came over and played a 
farewell, and we marched away. Witli all our longing for 
home, we pai't tVoiu our comrades of other regiments with 
feelinii's of sadness. AVe nuirched to Port Lavaca, boarded 
a small steanJjoat, the " Diana," and ran down to Indianola, 
where, at ') i". m., we traiisfei-red to the steamsliip "Suwanee," 
and run down the bay eight miles, where the ship anchored. 
There is a gale blowing on the Gulf. It is said to be dan- 
gerous to attempt to cross the bar when the waves are high. 
September 20. — The ship moved down to a point near 
tlie entrance to the bay and again anchored. We can see the 



HOMEWARD BOUND. 



415 



waves rollino- in and breaking, but the water is not very rough 
inside the bay. AVe killed time as best we could. Most every 
one tried iislnug, but only a few were successful. 

8eptenil)er 27. — Still anchored inside the bar. The storm 
is heavy outside and we have a choppy sea in tlie bay. 
Colonel Brutf borrowed a boat, manned by sailors, and went 
ashore. On his return he reported that there was no prospect 
of our getting out to-day. After dinner, Captain Clark bor- 
rowed a boat to take a party to an island for shells, and called 
for volunteers to take the oars. A num- 
ber ofiered to go. The ship Captain 
watched the proceedings, saying he 
doubted the ability of the soldiers to 
handle the boat. When all were seated, 
the boat was gently dropped into the 
water and the boys did their best to pull 
together, but failed. The choppy sea was 
too much for them. Sergeant Russell 
broke his oar. Seeing tliey could not 
manage the enterprise, the ship Captain s. n. u.^wkms. k (18b4). 
threw a line to them, by which the land lubbers }tulled them- 
selves back and climbed to the deck. They then begged for 
a few sailors to row the boat. The request was granted, and 
the party got off, returning in the evening with all tlie shells 
they could carry. 

September 28. — Still at anchor. The delay is submitted 
to with as good grace as could be expected from old soldiers 
who are homeward bound. Another party of otiicers went 
after shells. This evening the wind has fallen. It is said we 
will cross the bar in the morning. 

September 29. — Soon after daylight the fires were started 
under the boilers. A pilot came on board, and at 8 A. m. the 
anchor was shipped and we headed for the bar. The ship 
Captain requested all the men on deck to form in I'unks, 
massed near the stern, and be ready to obey his orders. 




4i6 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



While crossing the bar, the ship grated on the sand and the 
Captain shouted, "Run forward, every one of you." The boys 
charged with a will, but without knowing the reason for the 
order. In a moment more the Captain said, "You can scatter 
now, we are outside the bar." The sea is rough, and a good 
many are sea sick, but many of those who were sick coming 
over are all right now. 

September 30. — We are headed 
for Galveston instead of New Or- 
leans, and are in sight of land part 
of the time. It seems our long stay 
in Matagorda Bay exhausted the 
sup[)ly of jirovisions and fresh water, 
and necessitates a stop at Galveston. 
Reached the quarantine dock at 8 
p. M., and waited for the doctor, lie 
came after a long wait and found us 
all right. We crossed the bar at 5, 
and reached a wharf in the city at 
fkki.kt;,. K KKCK, c (1895). g p_ ^ Guards were posted but 

passes were given freely, and nearly all took a walk in the 
city. 

October 1. — The ship was taking on coal, provisions 
and water until noon. Left the wharf at 2 p. m., crossed the 
bar an hour later, and are well on the way to New Orleans. 
The sea is very smooth. 

October 2. — Michael Quirk, of Company H, died at 11 
o'clock last night, and was buried at sea this morning. The 
remains were sewed up in a sack with a cannon ball attached 
at the foot, and lay upon a board on deck during the short 
funeral service. At the conclusion of the service the board 
was raised, one end rested upon the ship's rail and the other 
end elevated until the corpse slid off and plunged Ixmeath 
the waves. 




HOME WARD B O UND. 



417 




OctolKT o. — After noon lai'i^'c nnnihcis of poi'jioises 
were in sight. The boys tried to catch one with a hook and 
line bated with a loaf of bread, but tailed to get a biti'. 
Others watched for favorable chances and tried to shoot one, 
Init wasted tlieir aniniunition. When near the ship they 
cut througli thewatei'at a wonderful speed. At 7 p. m. took 
on a pilot and proceeded to cross the bar, and then went up 
the Mississippi thirty miles to the quaran- 
tine station, where the ship anchored for 
the night. 

October 4. — The quarantine physi- 
cian came on boai'd at sunrise. At 7 a. m. 
the anchor was raised and tlie ship moved 
up the river. It was a jdeasant trip. We 
enjoyed looking at the tine plantations 
and villages. Our s}»irits rise with each 
advance towards home. At 6 p. m. the 
City of New Orleans was in sight; at 7 
we lay at a wharf at the upper end of the city. Passes were 
given to those wdio wished to take a walk on shore. 

October 5. — Passes were given this morning, expii-iiig 
at or before noon. At 1 p. m. we left the ship, maiched up 
street to an old cotton warehouse, in which Ave are (quartered. 
Passes can be had for asking, and most of the men were out 
in the city. 

October 6. — Notice was given this morning that we 
would march to a river steamboat at noon. It is reported 
that there is a warehouse full of mail for the Fourth Cor[)s. 
Our postmaster has been searching the mass for letters 
addressed to the 125th, and brought in a large nund>er, but 
thinks there are ten times as many. It would be a big job 
to iind them. At 1 p. m. we boarded the steamboat " Mair- 
nolia," a tine, large, new boat. At 5 j'. m. left the wharf and 
are making fast time u];> stream. 



E. G. Jacoby, T. 



4i8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



()rt(»ber 7. — Shortly after daylight the boat stopped at 
Baton Koiige, remaining only a few minutes. We tind that 
old soldiers are at a discount, not the equals socially of 
citizens. Only commissioned officers are permitted to go on 
the upper decks or in the cabin, although there are less than 
fifty civilian passengers on the boat. Some of the officers 
took sick men into tbeir staterooms and had a war of words 
with the officers of the boat about it. Our clothes are old 
and faded, but they are clean. Some of the boys oftered to 
pay the regular rates for staterooms and meals and were 
refused, although two-thirds of the rooms are em[ity. AVe 
are indignant. 

October 8. — Reached Vicksburg after 
sunrise. John Hall, of Company C, died 
this morning and his remains were sent to 
the General Hospital at Vicksbnrg for 
interment. He was sick when we started, 
l)ut hoped that after reaching the l)ay the 
trip on the water would be safer than to 
remain in hospital, and he was so anxious 
to get home. The boat run into a tree 

S. A. Justice, I (IsOO). ^^^^ .^f^^,,. ,],^i.]^^ .^„J .^^^^^y. getting OUt tied 

up for the night. 

October 9. — Shortly after sunrise when the fog began to 
lift, the " Magnolia" started and made fast time until about 
9 A. M., wlien there was ah explosion like the boom of a can- 
non, and in a nu)ment the boat was filled with steam. Men 
rushed to the sides ready to jumi* oAerl)oard. AVomen 
screamed, and lor a short time tln're was intense excitement. 
We soon realized tliat tlie boat was still fioating, and every 
one asked, "What is it?" " AVhat happened ? " By that 
time some one had discovered I be extent of tlie damage, and 
the inl'orniation ])assi'(l from one to another, and all ovei* the 
boat in a few seconds. A cylinder head had blown out and 
the piston rod was broken. One num in Company 1 was 




HOME Jr 'ARD B O UND. 



419 



severely injured, and ^;cveral others were more or less injured 
by hot. steam. The crew disconnected the machinery on one 
side and the boat proceeded using the wheel on one side 
only. Just before sundown we landed at a wood station on 
the Arkansas shore, and the boys took a turn in tlie forest 
while the negroes carried wood on board. The bell rang to 
recall stragglers, and a few minutes later the planks were 
hauled in, Imt it was a full hour before the boat managed to 
work loose and get fairly out into the river. The incon- 
venience of only oue wheel, and that on 
the shore side, was very apparent. Lieu- 
tenant Payne is on the sick list. 

October 10. — This morning found us 
still going up stream, but slowly. Stopped 
once for wood and got oif again without 
much trouble. August Weber, of Com- 
pany I, died to-day. He had been ill at 
Camp Irwin; returned from hospital Sep- 
tember 11, and was believed to be con- 
valescent, but Avas taken down again at 
N"ew Orleans on the 5th. It is thought the boat will not tie 
up to-night. ~ 

October 11. — The boat ri?n all niglit, but very slowly. 
Our progress to-day was slow. Stopped once for wood and 
were told that the supply would take us to Cairo, and it 
did. We tied up here about bed time. 

October 12. — At Cairo. We left the boat early and 
bivouacked on the wharf. At 2 p. m. marched to the Illinois 
Central Kail road and boarded a train of freio-ht cars. We 
are still cattle, but Avill l)e men in a few days. Steele, of I, 
says old soldiers are too good to ride in common coaches. 
At all events we go as freight, but the government probably 
pays passenger rates for our transportation. There is one 
old coach on the train for the officers. Left Cairo at 4 p. m. 
It rains and grows colder. 




K. K. Hakkison, C (1880). 



420 



OFDYCKE TIGERS, 



October 13. — At daylight the train was at Sandoval wait- 
ing to be transferred to the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Left 
Sandoval at 7 a. m. and made very slow progress, waiting on 
side tracks for otiier trains to pass about half tlie time. The 
track is rough, and we are jolted about considerably. We 
would prefer to marcli. 

October 14. — Still jolting along, when not lying on side 
tracks. We wait for and pass a train at nearly every station. 
Colonel Bruff says we are not billed as fast freight. The 
weather is cold. Probably we feel it more, coming direct 
from hades. 

October 15. — Reached Cincinnati at 7 a. m. Left the 
cars with great alacrity, considering how still:" our joints are 
from long confinement in the cars. 
Marched to the Little Miami dc}iot, and 
finding no cars at hand, the bo3's })roceed- 
ed to make coffee, breakfast and clean up 
a little. Left Cincinnati at 11 a. m. on 
passenger coaches. They know we are 
'' Buckeyes," and }»rol)ably think we 
would grease their rails if they carried us 
home in stock cars. Arrived at Colum- 
bus at 4 p. M. Marched out to Camp 
Chase. Quartered in barracks. That 
trip from Cairo was a stunner. We are very tired. 

October 1(1 — Did not sleep well on account of being cold. 
At daylight most of the men were outside the ban-acks, hud- 
dled around the fires. We will have to wait a day or two for 
the paymaster. Passes are gi\en freely, but few care foi- 
them. Most of the men hax'c no money. CJommissions wei"e 
issued l)y the (Governor to fill all \'acancies: Lieutenant 
Colonel Bruff, to Colonel; Major E. P. Jiates, to Lieutenant 
Colonel; Captain I). S. Stinger, to Major ; First Lieutenant 
R. K. Ilulse, to (yaptain ; Orderly Sergeants Hudson Fitch, 
H. G. Russell and Francis Cassil, to Second Lieutenants. 




XdAii W. Krn(.i sd.N, K. 



DISCHARGED. 



421 



October 17. — Too cold to sleep, and gave up trying at 2 
A. M. Went outside and found a tire. They have procured 
stoves to-day and set them up in the barracks. It is raining 
this evening, and we are a homesick lot. Very few went to 
the city to-day. We are all talking over our plans for the 
future. Many, perhaps a majority, of our boys intend to go 
west. It is a sad thought that we, who have been so inti- 
mately associated for years, must separate 
in a few hours, and with a majority the 
parting will be forever. Henry Fost, of 
H, wounded and captured at Chicka- 
mauga, is here in the Veteran Reserve 
Corps, and will be mustered out with the 
command. 

October 18. — At 1 r. m. the Paymas- 
ter arrived and began paying. Each man 
answered to his name, received his money 
and a " discharge." The men left at 
once on receiving payment, i-iding to the city in 'busses. I 
am at the National Hotel, a citizen. The growl of the tiger 
will be heard no more. Good-bye, 125th Ohio : good-bye, 
old saber and shoulder straps ; good-bye, blankets and hav- 
ersack and canteen ; I shall sleep on featliers and eat cooked 
victuals. Good-bye, pup tent ; I shall live in a house. Good- 
bye, comrades ; may God l)less and prosper you. 




H. n. Fitch, G. 



CHAPTER XIV 



125th O. V. T. ASSOCIATION. 




u'EK, K (i,s(i;;). 



The Association was organized at Akron, Ohio, January 
28, 1885, by thirty members of the regiment, for the purpose 
of liohling annual reunions, preparing and publishing a his- 
tory of the regiment, and taking such 
action from time to time as may seem 
propel" in the interest of survivors of the 
regiment or the families of deceased 
comrades. 

The Constitution and By-Laws make 
all who served in the regiment eligible to 
membership in the Association ; provides 
for the payment of one dollar as mem- 
bership fee a'nd fifty cents annually as 
dues; makes all widows and chikh'cn ot 
deceased comrades honorary members, their names to be 
recorded when reported ; provides 
for the election of officers annually, 
inz. : a l*resident, one Vice-Presi- 
dent from each company, a Secre- 
tary and Treasurer and an Executive 
Committee, whose duty sliall be to 
arrange for annual reunions; and 
})rovides for the election or employ- 
ment of a Historian, to prepare 
the histoi'Y of the regiment for jmb- 
licati(jn, the Vice-J*residents to assist 
in matters pei'taining to their re- 
s])ective companies. 

Capt. Charles T. Clark was elected llistoiian. C. L. 
Gilbert, of ]), ])resented a "Tiger" banner, which was 
accepted and ordered to be displayed at all reunions. Mrs. 




Damij, I '. Cuuri;!:, I'" (isnoi. 



i2^tJi O. V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



423 



Sarah A. Matthews (wife of Albert Matthews, of B,) read a 
poem written for the occasion, and was elected an honorary 
member and poet of the Association. General Opdycke 
having died a short time prior to tlie meeting, a committee 
was appointed to prepare a suitable memorial for adoption at 
the next reunion. Col. Joseph Bruff presided and C. L. 
Gilbert acted as Secretary, For list of oflicers elected, see 
next i)age. 




J 


pl^ 




-*% 




.?''^ 












-J. 




I. V r.l.Ariv. ]• 



GKoKiiF. r. Davis, i; (isiioi. Z. Filtun, K (1895). 



^^t^^^ 






E. P. Pfifek, K. 



Henry N. Tkacy, B. 



Kicks C. Davis, C (1890). 



424 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



OFFICER!^ OF THE ]2r,tli O. V. 1. ASSOCIATION. 

The following* comrades have served as officers of the 
Association, those last named being the officers at this time : 

as president. 

Col. Joseph Brltfp, Capt. Albert Yeo.m.vns, Cait. Ralsa C. Hki:. Capt. 
Alexander Dickson, Capt. M. V. B. King. 

AS VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

For Coinpauy A. — Lieut. J. II. Blackbckn, D. K. Bush. 

For Company B. — Albert Ma thews. Capt. IOi.mer .Moses, Albert Mathews. 

For Company C. — Col. E. P. Bates, Capt. R. K. Hui,se, Chester Tuttle, 
Capt. R. K. Hulse. 

For Company D. — F. L. Alle.v, W. I). F'du'akds, John S. Williams. 

For Company E. — Capt. C. C. BAicin, R. W. Thompson, Lieut. H. A. Don- 
aldson, James A. Needs. 

Fiji- ('ompaiiy F. — Capt. C. T. C'i.akk, Lieut. Alexander H. Postlewait. 

For Company G.— T. C. Breece, Capt. C. C. Chapman, Capt. :\I. W ]?. 
KiNC, S. J. Strealy. 

For Company H. — Capt. A. Vallemdar, \Vili,iam Mason, John Henson, 
B. F. VouNC. 

For Com[)any I. — E. R. Dailey, Wit.liam Duncan, Reuben M. Steele, 
W. W. Davidson, J. H. Hanson. 

For Company K. — Cai-t. \V. S. Williams, IL \'. Sikes. 

as treasurer. 

Ly.MAN lioOT, lilEl r. J. II. P>LA(KI!UR.\, /VlP.KRT MaTIIEWS, ( '. T. C'LARK. 

AS SECRETARY. 

Capi. R. Iv. Hulse, Lieit. J. H. Blackburn, Miis. Sarah .V. Maihews, 
I". H. Knk.iit, (.'. T. (Jlark. 

E.\ ECUriVE COMMII'TEE. 

ISiCi-'C. 

V. 1.. ( ii I, iii:i!T, William Mason, Hudson Finn, H. \'. Sikics, Thomas Fay, 
.L S. Willi \Ms, .1. W. Morcan, Lieut. I). K. Blystone. 



i2Sth O. V. f. ASSOC fATlON-. 



425 



SECOND REUNION. 



At Odei-i.'s Lakk, Oiiro, Ski't. 2, :5, 1885. 



The Sherinaii Brigade Association, consisting' of the 
G-tth and 65th 0. V". I., 6th Battery, O. L. A., and McLaugh- 
lin's Squadron of Oavahy, being in the same camp, the first 
day was spent in revix'ing acquaintance witli comrades almost 
t'orgottten in the lapse of years, and in listening to addresses 
by Gen. W. T. Sherman, Hon. John Sherman and others. 
The business meeting of the 125th O. V. I, Association was 
held at an early hour on the 3rd, in 
order not to conflict with the gen- 
eral [irogram of the day. A poem, 
written for the occasion by Mrs. 
Mathews, was read and ordered 
[)rinted with the proceedings, (^ap- 
tains Clark and Dickson presented 
the following report, which was 
adopted : 

In the absence of the Chairman of thr 
Committee to whom was assigned the lUity 
of writing resohitions relating to llic life, 
eharacter, and military history of <ini' distin- 
guished commander, General Emerson Op- 

dycke, we as members of the Committee, Ix'licving this occasion sliould 
not l)e permitted to pass witiiont some action by the Association, have 
hastily prepared and beg leave to snbmit the following: 

" In General Opdycke we recognize^ one of the grandest heroes of the 
civil war. A gentleman of blameless life; an otiicer of great aV)ility ; a 
patriot soldier, whose unflinching courage and coolness in battle and in- 
domitable spirit made his services of inestimable value, and frequently 
elicited from General Thomas and other commanders the highest praise for 
himself and his command. History records the fact, and it will never l)e 
forgotten by a grateful people, tliat (reneral Opdycke with his veteran brig- 
ade saved the day at Franklin, and <loabtlcss picvciitci] tlic complete ovci- 
throw of the Army of the Cuml)crland and the invasion of loyal States. 
And this great man was not only our commander to whom we are indebted 
for much of the distinction won by the regiment, but he was also our com- 




Cai.ki; 1''i:i'.N( ii, I'.. 



426 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




rade and friond. AVe recall with jjleasure his untiring zeal and laborious 
efforts to perfect the drill and discipline of the command, his constant 
watchfulness and attention to the details of everything affecting the health 
and comfort of the men, and his ready sympathy witli and interest in every 
soldier. 

In the years that have elapsed since the war closed, as we have met 
him fi'om time to time, it has seemed that, w hile otliers were growing old, 
he retained his youthful vigor of body and mind, and we hoiked and trusted 
tliat he wdiild live to iionor and delight us and our 
families by his i)resence at our reunions for many 
wars to come. But death is no respecter of jjcrsons. 
He visits alike the home of the hero crowned with 
laurels and tiie home of the humblest citizen. In 
the providence of (iod our distinguished conii-ade 
and well beloved friend has been taken from us, 
^A ^L and we ai'e left for a season to mourn his loss, l)ut 

?tB« ^^^^ Wf^S not as those without hope. INIay we all meet him 
111 i-eunioii upon the eternal camping ground. 

C L. Gilbert, Captain Ivini;- and 
11. V. Sikes were appointed to pre[)are 
resolutions relating to the service and 

death of comrades deceased since onr last nioetino:, and 

reported the following, 

WiiEiiEAS, It has pleased Divine; Provi- 
dence to remove from our Association by 
death since our last nmnion our beloveci eom- 
rades, Maj. Henry ]\k'Henry, Surgeon of the 
regiment; Capt. Anthony Vallendar, of II, 
and Tlioiuas iSjticklei-, of A; theicfoic, 

I'icxohud, 'V\vA\ the sur\iving members 
of the iL'oth (). V. 1. deeply feel llie loss of 
these comracU'S, who so faithfully and \al- 
liantly seive<l and shared wilh ihem the 
hardshii)S and dangers of the cixil war. ()nr 
heartfelt sympathy is given to the bereaxcil 
families antl friends of the deceased comiiHh's. 

DucKweinii nAi!(.i:AEVS, E (1890) 

It was voted to print the resolutions in the proceedings, 
and send a copy to the bereaved families. 



John r. 



1; a.v.Hi) 




i2sth O. V. T. ASSOCIATION 



427 



THIl;|) ANNUAL RKUNTOX. 



At Wakhkx, Ohio, Sept. 2!», 30, ISSO. 



Col. Joseph Bruft', President of the Association, having- 
died since the former rennion, Capt. Albert Yeonnms was 
elected President. 

Sixty-two comrades were present, many of them accom- 
panied by members of their families. The business session 
was held in the hall of Bell Harmon Post, G. A. P. Mrs. 
Matliews was requested to address the Association, and read 
a })oem written for the occasion. 

A committee, consisting of Captain 
Dickson, Captain Yeomans and Lieuten- 
ant Blystone, reported tlie following: 




\Vm. Jkfkki:s, K ( I.ssih. 
to iiKiintain mi tlu' 



Whereas, This xlissociatidii has Icariu'd of 
the decease of our late Colonel and I 'resident of 
our Association, Joseph Brufl'; tluii Idic, 

Eesolred, That it is ^Yilll pi-ol'onnd regret we 
have heard of his demise in the midst of a life of 
honorable activity and us^'fulness; llial we eliei-isli 
his memory as a useful citizen, a liusted and wise 
legislator, a brave and faithful snKliei-. In him we 
recognized the typical American citizen, who dari 
l)attlefield the principles which he advocated in prixate hl'c and in tlie 
halls of legislation. That we extend <>nr lieartfelt syiiii)athy tn I lie i)ercav- 
etl fannly of our departed comradi', and pray that a i<ind pru\ idciice may 
sustain them in tht'ir great atliictiuu. 

It was voted that the resojiition l)e printed and a co}i\' 
sent to the family : 

Adjourned to accept the invitation of the Truiiibull 
Connty Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association to take part in 
their reunion, in progress at the lair grounds. 



428 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



FOURTH ANNUAL I^KUXION. 



At Cleveland, Ohio. Ski't. I'O, 21, 1SS7. 



Forty-oiii'lit comrades wei'c [treseut. The business ses- 
sion convened at 2 o'clock i>. m. Prof, E. N. Hartshorn, of 

Mt. Union College, addressed 
the Association, and was given 
a vote of thanks for his elo- 
quent address. 

William C. Bunts, son oi 
our Capt. W. C. Bunts, was 
called upon and responded in 
a lia})[t3' speech. Captain 
Veonians, in an address, eulo- 
gized the eminent merit and 
mditary services of Captain 
Bunts. 

At this point the meet- 
ing adjoui'ned until 7 P. M., 
and the members jn'oceeded 
in a body to view the Cyclo- 
rama of the Battle of Mission 
llidge. 

At the evening session 
letters from absent comrades 
were read. Comrade W. 11. liawdon was appointed custodian 
of the old flag, our first one, which was presented to Colonel 
Opdycke by the regiment, and which Mrs. Opdycke now gave 
into the care of the Association. Besolutions relating to the 
death of C/omrades Orin L. Lazarus, of A, and William 
Chai'lcs, of C, were adopted and ordered printed in the min- 
utes. A })oem, sent by Mrs. Mathews, was read by Captain 
M. V. B King, and was ordered printed in tlie minutes 




U.WMi H I .MTllKLVS, 

I.irutfiiaiM . ('(iiniiiniy K, l,S(W-3, and r;iiil:iiii 
'l"iiIM>i;r;iiii(Ml iMi.tfiiu'ovs, lsrii-:>. 



i2^fJi O. V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



429 



Coini'iide K. W. Tliomj^son eiitei'taiiuHl tlu' iiu'iiibcrs witli an 
army song. Matters })ertaiiiing- to the regiinental hisloi-y 
were discussed, and a motion adopted urging renewed dili- 
gence on the part of the Historian and assistants. It was 
ordered that the present address of all survivors of the regi- 
ment, so far as known, be printed in the minutes. Adjourned 
to meet at 9 a. m. next morning. 

At the morning session on tlie 20tli, otHeers were elected 
and the balance of the day was given up to social reunion. 






John S. A],(i(iK, K. 



jKI-'KElISdN l\h:i.l(K, K 



M. V. AMY, K. 






Mui;,.A.N i;i:..\\.\. j; 



T. C. Jii;KlC( K, G (IS'JJ). 



iiiN I:iim:i:, A. 



43° 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



FIFTH ANNUAL KEUNION. 



At Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1888. 



The National Eiieampineiit of tlie Grand Army of tlie 
Eepublic met in Columbus Sept. 10-14. The city was gay 
with flags and hunting in honor of the occasion, A hundred 
thousand veterans thronged the streets, parks and camps. 
Campflres with distinguished orators were in progress at 
various points. Ohio's Centennial Exposition was at the 

State Fair Grounds, Regimental, 
brigade, division and arm}' corps 
reunions, and the eager desire to 
j see and hear old comrades and hon- 
ored leaders, made it somewhat 
dithcult to get all our own members 
together at one time and place and 
hokl them for the transaction of 
business. 

The l)usiness session convened 
in the Court House. The oflicers 
not having arrived, James H. Han- 
Mits. Sarah A. jmatukws. squ, of I, was Called upou to pre- 
side, C. T. Clark to act as Secretary, and Albert Mathews 
to act as Treasui'cr. 

On call of tbc roll it was found that a majority of those 
present wei-e not members of the Association, and all pres- 
ent were recpiested to hand in their names and postoflice 
address. Not lar away, in the Cajjitol building, were the 
old battle flags of the regiment. Comrades James E, Archer, 
of TI, and .lohn (^etz. of F, were appointed to bring tliem 
to the meeting place, that we might once more transact busi- 
ness bciicatli 1 lieir folds. 

Capt. Flmer Moses, Jacob Sautter, of H; Randolph, of 
E, and J, S. Stinger, of F, addressed the Association. Com- 




T2stli O. V. I. ASSOCIATION 



431 



rade Iv. AV. Thompson sang an army song. Ca})taiii (Mai-k 
reported progress of work on the regimental history. 

A letter was read from Mrs. Mathews, with which was 
transmitted a poem written for the occasion, and, anticipat- 
ing the presence of the flags, entitled 

THE OLD RE(iIMENTAL FLAG. 



Bring out, bring ont, llic dM Hug, boys, 

Unfnrl its fack'd folds; 
Toncb tenderly its tatters, boys, 

iSuoli nieni'ries dear it holds. 

Tlirougli cacli vicissitude of wai- 
We'\'e I'oliciwcd where it led: 

Tts pathway bi-ougiit its many a sear. 
And imdti])lied our dead. 

To others it may sec'ni an old 
Torn llag, soiled and onicasl ; 

But we, on seeing it, beiiold 
A tal)let of the past. 




CuAia.iis ^Nliij IK, J. 



Across its broken bai'S wo ri'ad 
Of many a weary tramp, 

Of battlefield, of daring di'ed, 
Of l)ivonac and of eani]). 




John R. Rathiukn, 
Sergoaiit. K. 



And on its faded lield of lilue, 

III ]>eiu-iling of blond, 
The death list of our comrades t rue, 

Who (inee besides us stood. 

And peeping from behiml its shirs, 

With I'aces suiiling yet. 
Are those who kept iiui' hearts from si-ars 

Through drear)' days and wet. 

iThaidsS, thanks to those who brought us luirlh, 

As healing for each ill ; 
Though late in life we own their worth 

And ivcognize their skill.) 



432 



OFDYCKE TIGERS, 




Wm. s.mh II, u 



And every rent reminds ns, boyi*, 

Of some fierce field of strife, 
Wliere thoee whom we liad learned to love 

Made sacrifice of life. 



It lirinj^s to (nil' rcnicnibiimcc, boys, 
Tlie slidut wliicli rent tlie air 

\\'li(ii we wcic seen (in l\ocky Face 
A\ith tliis ilnii- licating there. 

So stee]) and hi<ih tlic summit, boys, 
'Twas thought we could not scale; 

But ( Jpdyi'ke's Tigers could, yon know. 
O'er heights like that prevail. 

And written here is Kenesaw, 

Ivesaca, Peach Tree Creek, 
And hosts of other names, which bring 

Tliontilits crowding fast and thick. 



Each fold reveals some incident, 
Writ thei'e by wai-'s I'ude liaud; 

Tliougii liieroglyjihic tliev mfiy seen 
\\v read and understand. 

Its i)age is full and interlined, 

Its margins running o'er 
With tales of weal and woe conil)ini(l. 

Till it will hold no more. 

So hang the old Hag in oni- view — 

Its story ne'er is done, 
l-'or while we think to read it through, 

We lind 'tis hut begun. 

.\nd when, for you, hoys, and for nie, 

heunioiis all are o'er, 
We'll lea\ (■ to oui- posterity 

This llau' iheir fathei-s hore. 




Henky \Va1U!KN, K. 



T^rlin k IM'eifcr iiliotoiiijipluMl tlie iiioiiibers present in a 
i;r(tuji iiiTiiiiucd (m (lie ste[is of tlie Court House. 

Ill tlie (■veiiiiii;' tlie hiciiiIkts of tlie Assoeiatioii met at 
tlie I'esideiiee of Cjniltiin Chirk, ANJiei'e the soeial reunion ol' 
the occasion occurred. 



1 25th O. V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



433 



.•SIXTH ANNUAL REUNION. 

At YoiNciSTowx, Ohio, Sett. I! and 4, IS.S!). 

On this ()ceiisi(»ii the Association was captured by Tod 
Post, G. A. K., and the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps, 
and found it ditiicult to find time for a business session. The 
Association was called to order by the President, Captain 
])ickson, in tlie hall of Tod Post, when Judge Johnson, a 
member of the Post, addressed the members, and at the con- 
clusion of his remarks, on behalf of the Post and Relief 
Corps, tendered hos[)italities that were 
afterwards carried out in a very generous 
manner. Captain Dickson responded to 
the welcome address, and the Association 
immediately adjourned for the social re- 
union and entertainment proposed. 

Reconvened on the 4th. Mrs. Ma- 
thews being present, she was called upon 
and read a poem, entitled "The Roll," 
which was ordered printed in the minutes. 

Some time was spent in correcting the ''Korok \^\\^^^\^, \. 
roll of survivors of the regiment and their present locations. 

Resolutions were reported and adopted relating to the 
deaths of Comrades Dennis J. Adkins, Anthony liurroughs, 
Lester Stolaker, Lieut. Ileman R. Harmon, Lieut. Benjamin 
Gardner, Joseph Harvey Tuttle and John P. Calvin; also 
resolutions thanking Tod Post and the ladies of the Relief 
Corps for their hospitality and fraternal interest in our re- 
union ; and thanking Mrs. Sarah A. Mathews for her faith- 
ful services as Secretary of the Association and the beautiful 
poems contributed annually. 

Reports of ottie-ers were received and new ofHcers elected. 

The minutes of the meeting contain an historical sketch 
prepared by the Historian, and a list of survivors of the regi- 
ment, with their postoiiice address so far as known. 




434 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



SEVENTH ANNUAL EEUNION. 



At Kinsman-, Ohio, Aug. 20 and 21, lSi»0. 

The good people of Kinsman had prepared a program 
of entertainment so attractive and so extensive as to leave 
little time for ;i Uusiness session. Over sixty members of the 
Associatit)n were present, and many were 
accompanied by their wives and children. 
The town was crowded with other visi- 
tors. At the business meeting the Treas- 
urer's report was approved; letters from 
absent comrades were read ; matters re- 
lating to the regimental histoi-y were dis- 
cussed; resolutions adopted relating to the 
decease of Comrades W, II. Rawdon, 
Ca}»t. Albert Yeomans, Norris Meachem, 
Thomas z. I-.AI......K. I. ^^i^on Pcck, David Fox. -lohn lioner 

and Tiuniau Borden : and otheers were elected for the ensu- 
ing year. 

In addition t<» the social reunion and entertainment, a 
huge tent had heen erected, in which a 
'•camp tire" was lighted on the evening 
of the liOtli. the program including music 
by the \illage choir and an address b}' 
Kev. F. West Dickinson, to which our 
President, ("apt. Kidsa C. Rice, I'csjionded 
as follows : 




r 







W. Navi.ou, a (l.S'.)O). 



pKori.K HI Kinsman, Ekiend.s, Ai,i.: We tliniiU 
you for lliis l<iii(l reception tondcrctl our Associa- 
tion. \\'i' ciMiic Id y<iii to-day proud in tiic lirli; i' 
that the iiilcnsi ynii have ever nianifestcd in ilic 
12.")tii ( ). V. i. still continues, and fondly ]io])c llini it will ever \m.\ thus. 
^\'llil(■ in llic licld it was natural that yon should lie iiiiirestcd and solici- 
Idiis I'ni- (iiir willaic; iiiorcdf yimr ydiin^ nini wcic liandcd with us than 
fruiii an\ ui licr place in Ohio forty men, and nut a jxtor (Uic anionj^ thcin. 



iz^th O. r. I. ASSOCIATION. 



435 




I'KAN'i 1^ ( 'A>S1I., 1. 

ilav hriiioiii"; back tliat banner 



A^: a loyal ronuimiiity t he people of i\insnian stand t'oi'eniost ; for 
patriotism tlie annals of history fiu'nisli no p;uallel ; more men enlisted in 
tlie Union army from Kinsman in proi)orlion to her nnmber than from any 
other place in the Union. More than T)!! jut cent, of lier population volnn- 
teered in the ilefense of the Union. 

The tirst settlers of Kinsman weic of that Puritan stock which held 
life sul)ordinate to the defense of home and country. When the i'>ritish 
and Indians threatened their homes with devasta- 
tion, every able-bodied man took u|) aruis in theii- 
defense. Seventy-seven years ago, Auiiust l'4, isi;;, 
saw such a martial gathering here in Kinsman 
as fully illustrates Avhat I here try to make i)lain. 
Men from all parts of the country rallied at Kins- 
man pre])aratory to a march through the forest in 
search of the enemy. Mothers, wives and daugh- 
ters, they too lent a helping hand, deftly mould- 
ing munitions of ^var. Such sentiments and 
characteristics of loyalty were here moulded which 
were repeateil in furnishing our regim- m with that 
flag. WIu'U the old one had l)een shot into shreds 
in battle, the heroines of Kinsman furnished us 
with a new one. ^^'e come to you t< 
though liattle-scarri'd and torn, yet it is unsullied with defeat. The mem- 
ory of those gallant comrades wbo wciu down in its deft'use makes this 
relic of your handiwork doubly dear to us. Memory entwines in its tat- 
tered folds the names of Dudley [Mc.Michael. James M. Tidd, Joel N.Will- 
iams, Levi Splitstone, Rufus Mossman, William 
Joliuson. lit hail C. Briggs, Sealiury A. Smith, 
Thomas .M. Uinnhaiii, Adrian and Perry Fitch, all 
from Kinsiuau, died that their country might live. 
Nearly one-third were left on the held. How they 
fought and how they fared is soonest told by a 
sight of those old Hags, wasted and torn by siiot and 
shell; emlileiiiatic of tlu' lives of those who fol- 
lowed through Chickamauga, ]\Iissioii Pidge, Daii- 
dridge. Pocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope 
Church. Keiiesaw Moimtain, Peach Tree ("reek. 
Atlanta. Franklin and NashvilU-; men have livetl 
years in these moments of terrible battle. It was 
liEUN.vKD (uMi.iaeia., t . ;, luird ta>k. and of which the present generation 
have but little conception. Passing through scenes which tried men's souls 
shoulder to shoulder, coiiiiado became as lirothers. A sad, sad story; 
whether shot down by otu- side, their life lilood fast flowing out, and 
receiving their last messages for loved ones in that t'ar-ofi' home; or badly 
wounded. carr\iiig them oti" the tield, maimed for life, with all the hopes 




436 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




of futiirt' manhood 80 suddenly blasted, it was the cost of liberty, unly 

equaled by the pangs of anxiety experienced by that kind old lUDthci-. 

devoted wife or gentle sister as they watched and waited lor tidings frnm 

these absent '■ - 

Thus our cdunti-y was saved, the Union \nv- 
-crved, and Kinsman realizes the cost. I am thank- 
iiil 1 stand in a community to-day which remend)ers 
those sacrifices; and while we as members of thai 
organization meet to renew these filial bonds, we 
are also renewing those ties of friendshi]) whicli 
have always joined the 12nth Regiment with the 
|icoplc of Kinsman. 



The roll of the Association was then 
called, sixty answering present. As the 
names of those deceased in the preceding 
sii AS ( (iv. A (IS (II year were called, each was responded to 
by a short address. L. P. Andrews, of 
Kinsman, responded to the name of Capt. 
Albert Yeomans; Lieut. K. E. Woods to 
that of Norris Meachem ; Capt. \\. K. 
Halse to Almon Peck; Walter Cheney to 
William H. Rawden ; Josiah Morgan to 
David Fox; Chester Tnttle to Trnnuin 
Borden, and Lietit. J. 11. Blackburn to 
the name of John Boner. "The Faded 
Coat of P)lue," was rendered by tlie choir; 
Miss Blanche Orr, of Youngstown, sang i has. 1 1 ,,i„i,v, o i., k. 
a song: Mrs. Mathews read Iter poem, "The Battle of 
Franklin '" ; an interesting letter from Col. David II. Moore 
was read ; Comrade Albert Mathews read a selection, " Com- 
rades, We Meet Again," and the choir closed the exercises 
by singing, "Tenting To-night on the Old Camp Ground." 




i2^th o. V. I. ASSOC /A no. V. 



437 




If^AAC (ioUDMAN, A. 



EIGHTH ANNUAL UKlMoN. 

At Beli.evue. Ohio. Jink 17 am> 18. 1S!)1. 

Here, as at Kinsman tlie preeodin<i- yeai', the citizens, 
tliroiiu-h local committees, took charge of the Association, 
and most of the time was taken np with camp tires, speeches, 
h:in(|uet and entertainment. 

In the sliort husiness session John S. 
Williams presided and Hudson Fitch 
acted as Secretar}', the regular otiicers 
being detained at home by illness, Tiie 
decease in the preceding year of Keubin 
M. Steele, of I: Albert Stone, of A, and 
James Dickson, of A, wore reported 
and suitable resolutions adopted. Mrs. 
Mathews asked by letter to be excused 
from serving as Secretary on account of 
failing health. Lieut. T>. K. Blystone was appointed a com- 
mittee of one to procure a suitable present to send to Mrs. 
Mathews. He brought in and exhil)ited a silver water 
pitcher, with gold-lined goblets, and a 
hirge seal leather album. The Associa- 
tion voted to send both as a slight token 
of appreciation of her efforts for the 
success of the Association. 

Letters were read from absent mem- 
bers, I-;-.: Capt. K. ('. Kict', J. M, Pol- 
lock, .1. \l. Iiathl)urn, J. F. liandolph, 
Lieut, IL X, ri'iitield, C, F. P>ooker, 
Thomas McAFilhin, J. S. Stinger, F. II. 
Knight, Cai>t. W , S, Williams, ISathan 
AVoodyard, Rev, J, D, Masters, John Dutiy, II, AL Dunley,. 
J. F. Archer, Dr. G. H. Masters, Capt. Steen B. Parks, 
Cluq.lain J. W. Lewis and Mrs, l^)rter A, Gotf: and also 
rom Tyler Jasper, of the ^\\\\ Kentucky Infantry. 







438 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Officers for the ensuing year were chosen and the reports 
of the Secretary and Treasurer were read and a})pr(^vcd 

Tlie printed minutes of tlie meeting contain a list of 
survivors, so far as known to the Secrctai'v, and an urgent 
request for all survivors to assist in making the rolls as com- 
plete as possible. 

Tlie meetings were held in tlie Opera House, condncte<l 
l)v Comrade John S. Williams. 








igf'^^ *w, 



David Llovu. A. 



ITknhy Hilton, A. 



Oi;i:n I,. I.AZAiirs, A. 






1>K«IS S'lriv:.-.!;, (I 



w . H. itAwiMiN, n nss:>]. 



l-'i'.AM IS Si-HAi.ri;. i; 



1 25th O. V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



439 



M.XTII ANNUAL REUNION. 



At Cl.KVKl.ANl), (JlIIO, JlLV 4 ANO .1, ISIH'. 



The time and place was selected with a \u'\v to av 
iiig entertainment, camp fires, etc., the nuMnlicis dcsirin 
devote the time to business relating to 
the history and to social reunion amoni^- 
themseivt's. About fifty members were 
present. The* Historian read his report, 
showing what iiad been accomplished and 
what was projyosed in regard to the liis- 
tory. The work and plans were fully 
discussed. The following resolution was 
adopted hy a majority vote, riz.: 



OKI- 

u- to 




HfHiilriil. Tlint no special ])ri's<nial iiiciil inn dl' 
iiulividunl (illiccis oi' solclier.s for iiKjrilorioui? slm- 
. , vices be madt' in the liistorv 



always exc'iitiii^ 




"iiallant coniniandei'. Col. Eniii-sun ( )|)(lvek:'. 

The Historian said he would try to 
ol)sei've the s[tii'it of the resolution. 

Resolutions were adojtted I'elating to 
^0''jA^ t''<^' death of Comrades Krastus Brainard, 

^^^^^^^^^ Lieut. Sharon French, Porter A. Gotf' and 
Hr .-^^^^^^H Lyman Eoot. 

™- — ^^^^^^™ Lieut. 1). Jv. Blystone was a})pointed 

UAiaasoN TiKNi.i; ]'.. ^^^^j. representative to assist in locating the 
monument of the regiment at Chickamanga, the Associa- 
tion having l)een advised that the comnussion appointed l)y 
the Governor of Ohio desired such assistance. 



440 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 




TENTH ANNUAL KEUNIOX. 

At Cleyp:i,and, Oiuo, Jui.y :'>. 4. ISSi;;. 

Forty-two members Avere preseut. In the absence o^ 

Captain Dickson, Capt. E. C. Rice presided. Letters were 

read from Capt. W. 8. Williams and James A. Needs. On 
call of the roll the decease of several com- 
rades was reported, r'lz.: Patrick Welch, 
of ]) : John P. Gartner, of B: Conrad 
Michael, of E; Jacob \\'inans, of D, and 
Daniel Moler, of K, and approitriate res- 
hitions were adopted. 

The Historian submitted the manu- 
script for several chapters of the regi- 
mental history, and asked that some plan 
be ad(i]'ted to provide '((^v puhlishing the 
1.. w. w.vricus. n (iMi.-)L book. After discussion it was ordered 

that a committee, consisting of Comrades Hudson J^'itch, 

]). K. BIystone and C. 1j. Gilbert be authorized to devise, 

adojit and execute plans for pul)lishing 

the i-egimental history. 

Lieut. 1). K. BIystone, who had been 

api)ointed as the delegate of the Associa- 
tion to visit tlie hattlelield of Chiekannuiga 

with the Ohio Commission and assist in 

selecting a site for a monument, to be 

erected by tlie State of Ohio, re[»orted 

that he had [terfornied the duty assigned, 

an<l that the monument would be located 

at the position held l)y the regiment at 

the close of the battle on Sunday. Sejit. l'(», 18(38, neai- the 

Snodgrass house. 

A letter fi-om ('a[)t. J. C. McElroy. Secretary of the 

Ohio Chiekaiuauga Commission, was read, in reference to 

which the following resolution was ado[itt'd : 




.li'llN I I . Wun AKKK. n. 



i2jth O. r. I. ASSOCIATION. 



441 



E(')<ohr(1, That Ca])!. C. T. Clark. Licni. D. K. IJlystoiic and (.'apt. 
I\I. \'. B. King 1k' and arc licrchy apixiintcd and anlliini/.cd tn ri'iMVsent 
this Association, and tn decide all qucstiims antl perform all acts that nuiy 
hv decided or performed iiy survivors of tlu' 12r>th O. \'. I. undei- laws 
relating' to the eret-tion of monuments on the halt lelield of ( 'hirkamaniia. 

A letter tVoiii Mrs. Matliews was received coiitainiiiij; a 
poem written for the reiuiioii of 181i8, and tlio jiooin was read 
and ordered printed in the minutes. 



ELEVKXTII ANXIAL hi:rMOX. 



At I'n'Tsia i;(,. I'a,. Sicn. ll'. l."-. IS'.M. 

Eighty comrades were present. The Xatloiial Eiieainp- 
ment of the Grand Army of the Repuhlic, ln'ld :it Pittsburg 
the same week, brought to tiie reunion of the li!oth some 
comrades who liad never before met witli u>. Among the 
numl)er were C'apt. E. G. AVhitesides, 
Henry Jl. Achims. of G, and Dr. James 
G. Buchanan. Most oi" the time was 
devoted to social reunion, but the ncees- 
sav}' business was transacted, the nu)st 
important items being as follows: 

KKPOKT 01' COM^HTTKK oN ( IMCK' AMA r(;.\ 

.\n).\L'.Mi:N'r. 




At tlu' re(inest of tjie ()ino Commission we 
examint'd the designs for monuments plai-ed on exiuhil ion in the Senate 
Chaniher hist fall, and from whicli i'e])resentati\'es of I'egiments were pei'- 
mitted to make selections, suhject to a|)i)ruval liy the Connidssion. and we 
selected and recoiumended a ilesign drawn by Charles II. Clark, of Colnm- 
lins. <)hio. a ])hotograi)h of which we submit with tht.' report. The design, 
with sonu' slight changi's, was approved l)y the Ohio Conunission, and later 
liy tlie National Commission, and the Ohio Conunission tiien contracted 
for its erection by E. E. Can- iN.- Co., of Quincy, Mass. 




I'j.i ViiUKi;. F OS'.Ki). 



442 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

TIk' niDiiuiin'nt i;^ of dark Quincy granite, surmounted by a tiger cut 
out of Maine gi-anite. On the face of the monument shown in the ])hoto- 
grai)h is a medalion of Colonel Opdycke and a liattle seene in han rrllrf, hotli 
execuled in eo]>]ier bronze, and also the following inseri])tions in raised and 

])(i]ishc(l hloek letters, ''/:.; 

On the oval l.and near tlie top, "iL'oth 
O. \'. 1." 

Below the nu'daHon, "Col. Fjucrxui ()[)- 
dyeke, Com'dg." 

On tlie third l)as(\ ■' llarker's Brig.. Wood's 
Div." 

On the second base. "'L'lst .\rmy Corjis."" 
On the reverse side is tiie inscri])tio!i. " r_'.")tli 
O. A'. I." and in the oval spac;- o])positt' llic medal- 
ion is the Oiiio shield in bronze, and in tie.' space 
o]iposite the V)atlle scene is a copper plate c<intain- 
ing tlie legend in raised letters, as follows: 

•'Sept. 1(1, INIi:!, from 4::'.() i>. m. to .')::'>0 i-. m., 
this regiment was severely engaged, al)out (iOO yards 
north of N'iniard's and about L'OO yards east of the road, capturin.g one 
oflicer and nine men. 

"Sept. 20, about M.oOa. m., foi med for battle about 1(10 yards south 
of this ridge and advanced to the north end of |)yei's Held, where it met 
and engaged the enemy and resistecl his further advance fi'om ]- M. to 1:00 
I'. -M., when it was forced to retire. It reached this 
])osition about 1:;50 c. m. and occupied it until al)out 
7:t)0 I'. .M., when it was ordered to Ilossville. From 
1:30 1'. M. to 7:00 e. .\i. it assisted in ri'pelling all 
assa.ults on this pari of the line. 

" Went into action with 10 otlicers, 20S men ; 
aggre.gate, :M4. 

"i-ost: Killed, 17; wc muded, S,"! ; missing, f); 
aggregate', 105." 

Tlu' battle scene will remind memliers of the 
regiment of the Hag episocle, that did occiu-, and 
which is nu'iUioned iu the otiicial I'epurls of 
Thomas, Wood, llarker. Opdycke and others. 

.\mong other letters i-eceix'cd by yoin- com- 
nuttee, was one from (ien. Thomas .1. Wood, a fiu-^iinih vn\\\ f\\ part of 
same appearing on t he badges fm- this oecasion. ■ 

Respect fully subinil led. 

C. T. Cl.AIiK, 

It. K. Ih.vsroM:. 

M. W I'.. KiN<;, 

=:'See past- 1J>. < 'luiniiiUr, . 




1 1 i:(m:i.i: I'i \ n . 1 1 




#* 



y 



ism' ' Wf * ;.-»*wro »*' 







I^SSi^ 



rilK KAM.vn^A MdNTMKNT. 



444 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



Tlie report of the Historian was submitted, including 
nianusc'rijit prepared for publication, the report giving a^ 
l)rief description of the several chapters, and I'cconimending 
that portraits of officers and men of the regiment, and also 
of other distinguished officers, be included in the printed 
volume. It was ordered by unanimous vote that the Com- 
mittee on Publication, r'n.: Hudson Fitch, D. Iv. Blystone, 
and C. L. (iiHiert, have fu[l authority to do what they think 
proper in order to get the book }irinted and sold to comrades 
and friends of the regiment. 

The hirge room in which the meetinu' was held was 
filled with visitors, inchiding a number of memljers of J^a- 
fayette Post, G. A. E., of IS^ew York City, of wliich our 
comrade, Henry H. Adams, is Commander, and it was }»ro- 
posed to light a camp fire. Interesting 
speeches were made by Comrade Adams, 
Gen. Charles T. H. CoHis and. others of 
Lafaj'ette I*ost, and by Cajitaiii White- 
sich'S. Miss Mattie Archer, (huighter of 
(%)mrade James E. Archer, of H, ren- 
<U'i'ed "The Star Spangled Banner." 

Adjourned to accejit the invitation 
of J^afayette Post to partake of their 
hos[)itality, and the members proceeded 
Ai.MoN i>i;(K. w. •,, .^ i),,(]y t,, the (|UartcTs of Lafayette 

Post, wliere the cam}) fire was again lighted. Comrade 
Adams, by request, gave an account of Memorial Day ser- 
vices at the grave of General Latayctte, in Paris. France, at 
which he re[)resented his post, and in wliicli descendants o1 
the General and numy distinguished -Americans and Kj'ench- 
men participated. 

SKCoNh l>.\V. 

On motion of Captain \\' hitesides. sccoikUmI by Lieu- 
tenant Postlewait, the otHcers of the Association were re- 
elected tor the t'lisniiiii- \car. 




1 25th O. I'. I. ASSOCIATION. 



44? 



On call of tlie roll it was ro^K^rted that tlic tollovving 
comrades had died since the last meetinij,', rh.: Jnnies Beggs, 
of D; Jesse B. Luse, of C ; James Paden and F. 11. Knight,, 
of B. Ap[)i'0[iriate resolntions were ado[»ted. 

The Association tlien adjourned, the comrades riMuain- 
ing in the room, liowever, until noon. 



T W I '> ] . FT 11 A NN U AT. H E U N ION . 



At Yoi-Nt^STOWN, Ohio, .Tii.y I> and 4, IS'.i,"). 



The l)U8iness session was held in the hall of Tod Post, 
(7. A. R., and the business related almost exclusively to the 
regimental liistory. 

The Secretary read the list of com- 
rades whose photographs had been jn-o- 
cured, and steps were taken to procure 
others. 

The ('onimittee on Publication sub- 
mitted a report, showing that tlie sub- 
scriptions fell short of meeting the expense 
of pul)lication ; explaining alterations in 
the plan, by which one portrait appeared 
on each page, and urging comrades to 1 ' nam.ui;. a. 

send in the amounts subscribed without delay. The report 
was approved. 

Pesolutions were adopted thanking the Historian for 
the faithful discharge of the duty inqiosed u})on him by tlie 
association; the Publication Committee for their untiring 
eftbrts, and the Chickamauga Monument Committee for 
good work in the selection of a suiUible design and securing, 
its adoption by the Ohio Commission. 




446 



OPDVCKE TIGERS, 



Letters were read from aljseiit comrades, rh.: Kathan 
R. Hall, Frederick Nauck, Henry G. Russell, Elijah Kessler, 
James A. Needs, Samuel Green, John Henson and F. L. 
Allen. 

A letter from Col. Arthur McAi'thnr, 24th Wisconsin, 
was read as follows : 

IlEADtilAHTKUS DeI'AKTM ENT OF TeXAS, \ 

Assistant Adjutant General's Office, \ 
8a N Antonio, Texas, May 13, 1895. ) 
Dkak C ai'iain Ci.akk : 

I luivc just ivt-eived your luiU' of May :! thniugli the AiljiitanI (umi- 
eral's otlic'.' in Washington, in wliicli you t'xprcss a desire to inc-orporate a 
cut of myself, w it li other rcginicnta! eoniinanders of the First Brigade, in 
viiur fortheoiuing History of the ]2."Hh Ohio. I eoniplyAvith your request 
willi great ])le;isure, and enelose hei'ewitli an engraving taivcn just after the 
inustt'r-dut in ISC)."). When tlie \v;ir ended I \\;is Lieutenant C'olonel, but 
lu'ld the (iovernor's ('(uuniissidn ;is Colnnel, whicli the AVar I)ei)artnient 
refused to recognize. Tlie Wisconsin liistDrian, liow- 
e\er. for wlioni tlie engr;i\ing was made, insisted on 
the full rank, hence the shouhlei- straps in tlu' en- 
graving. 

Ti> lie thus associated fur all time with the 
li'oth I a])preciale as a great distinction, aiid 1 beg 
to thank you very inucli for reinembering me in 
^uch an agi'ceahle manner. 

I unilersland frum your '■iin-esimndence that 
Ann purpose giving spt'i-ial |)romiiience in your narra- 
ti\'e to 1 he part taken liy the regiment and brigade in 
the battle of biankliii. This is very pro])er, as it is 
rarely the case thai the inlluence of a jiarticailar 
command in controlling a great event can l)e as 
clearly trac( d as in h.lialf of the First Ihigade at I-'rankliu; and the deci- 
sive character of the battle itself cannot he overestimati'd, as it transpired 
at a most critical jieriod of the war. 

I'rielly stated, the situation was something as I'oUows : 
(ieneral Sherman was in (ieoi'gia, rapidly aiijiroaching Savannah, but 
still with<iut a base: (ieneral (n-anl had no iroo])s to s])are from the front 
of Petersburg and ilicliniond; in New(hleans and ot hei' places in t he far 
South ami We-i we had only a few thousand men. Hood's success at 
Franklin, thcrefoie. meant Confederate snpi-emacy over Tennessee and 
Kentucky, with the numerical strength of his army raised probably to at 
least 1(10, (10(1 men. With such a force it was possible for him toswcejiup 
1,, the ( »lno bivei-. and thereby oblige ( leiiei-al ( iraut to detach largely from 
his armv for the pioiection of the West, thus exposing (ieneral Shermait 




.l(isi;i'ii Mni.iA, i< 



i23ili O. J'. 1, ASSOCIATION. 



447 



in Georgia to a concent rati'd attack by Lee before he could reach his new- 
base. In a word, had Hood entered Nasliville 8Word in liand at the head nf a 
victdvions army, whicli wunld have resulted from defeat of the T'lunn army 
at Fraidclin, the civil war in all its suliseqnent scenes might have liccn 
essentially varied. 

Battles ti'ri'al fur rdnceptidu ni- political i-esults, mii^lit to lie studied ; 
l)Ut those that sa\'e should lie connnemorated and ci'lelirated. \\'e owe 
a<imiratiou to llie tirst ; ,u,i'atitude to t he others. Franklin was essentially- 
a battle that sa\-ed, and as such must he ciassilied as second only to < iettys- 
burii in importance during Ww entire war. 

In this transcendent conflict the First Ihigade 
jilayed a part peculiarly its own. AVhatever disputes 
may have arisen from the liattlein other respects, it 
has never been denied that Oi)dycke's conunaml re- 
stored the broken line at Charter's Hill. \\\ this 
light I have, therelore. made the foregoing coiniect- 
ed and somewhat lengthy statement in ordei' to sug- 
gest the expediency of an ellort to secure a suitable 
brigade memorial, to be ei-ected on the Held. Ohio, 
Illinois and AVisconsin are interested. If eac h State 
could l)e induced to ai)proi)riate .':^1500 for each of it> 
regiments there engaged, the individual etl'orts ot 
surxivoi's in addition thereto might, perhaps, be 
sutlicient to secure a site anil i)ut the monument on a 
solid foundation. Please reflect upon the matter, and if favorably im- 
l)ressed by the suggestion, consider the ixissibility of giving practical elfecl 
to a mo\-tMnent looking to t he end in \-iew-. 

\'ery li'uly yours, 

•Vrthuh iM.\cAi;Tui i;. .Ii;. 




\h\\\ O. V. I. 
ivt. Brisadicv Gcncnil 



A general iliscnssioii ensued as to tlie best wav to |ii'(i- 
eeed to secure either ti inonuuieiit to Opdycke's brigade on 
Carter's Hill at Fninkliu or the establishnieut there of a 
National Park, with niontinieuts showing the })osition in the 
lines of all regiments and l>atteries of both armies engaged 
in the battle, after which it was moved and cari-ied that a 
committee of five be appointed with authority to conduct 
such correspondence and take such action as they may deem 
proper in unison with committees that may be a[»pointed 
from other regimental associations. The Chair a]i[iointed .is 



448 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

such conimittoe Captains Clark, Rice and Dickson and Lien- 
tenants Blystone and Blackburn. 

The decease in the past year of three comrades was 
reportecl, r/<. ; Michael Perringer, of B ; John Crouch, of K, 
and Josc[)h B. Naylor, of A. 

It was decided to hold the next reunion at Colunilms, 
at the same time witli the Department Encampment of 
Ohio, G. A. R. 

The Executive Committee was directed to invite Col. 
David II. Moore to deliver an address on that occasion. 



NOTES FROM SECRETARY'S RKCORD, \•l:^\\^ o. W I. ASSOCIATION. 

Adams, Henry H., of G, was in Confederate prison at Ca- 
haba three months; exclianged Nov. 15, 1864; present 
address, 115 Broadway, New York City. 

Bates, Bvt. Col. Edward P., served three months in 19th 
O. N . I. before joining the 125th ; was in every conflict 
with the regiment; ranking Captain in the Army of the 
Cumberland when mustered out ; present address, 320 
Sampson Street, San Francisco, Cal. 

Bunts, Capt. W. C, at close of the war engaged in practice 
of law at Nasliville, Tenn. ; removed to Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1800, where he served as Assistant U. S. Disti'ict 
Attorney and City Solicitor; he was Department Com- 
mander of Ohio, G. A. R., in 1872. 

Creps, Jeremiah, of A, was one of about tifty men who were 
never absent from the regiment while in service. 

Daieev, Wilmam, of H, lost an ai-m at Ivenesaw, and is called 

''.John '' Dailey on page 282 by mistake. 
Dickson, James R.,of A, is Superinteiident of the Mahoning 

County (Oliio) Inflrmary. 




Cai't. CiiAin.i^ '1'. Ci.AiiK, !•■ (].S'.),i) 



i2^th O. V. I. ASSOCIATION. 



449 



Duncan, Wili.iam, of I, served in the 87th O. V. I. before 
joining the 125th ; was captured with that regiment at 
Harper's Ferry, Sei)t. 15, 1<S(;2, and paroled; was one of 
the men with Captain I'arks w)ien tlie guns were cap- 
tured from the enemy's rear guard at Mission Ridge. 

Ei(iUTY-MNTii O. V. I. was captured at Chickamauga ; by 
misprint reads 39th on page 120. 

Fay, Thomas, of C, came direct from County Galway, Ire- 
land, to the 125th. 

French, Caleij, of B, was at hea(h|uarters with Opdycke 
most of the time, his favorite orderly. 

Fitch, Hudson, of D, while a prisoner of war was confined in 
several prisons, f'lz.: Andersonville, Savannah, Millen 
and Blackshear Station ; is at present General Freight 
Agent of the Ohio Central R. K. lines. 

FosNAUCHT, Emory, of A, while with a wagon train from 
Chattanooga to Bridgeport, was severely wounded, shot 
by a Confederate picket across the Tennessee Kiver. 

Gilbert, C.Lafayette, of 1), resides at 22 Linwood Avenue, 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

Humphreys, Lieut. David, went from the 125th to the Topo- 
graphical Engineers' Corps. 

Keck, Frederk^k, of C, was one of those who went through 
every battle with the 125th. 

KiN(i, Capt. M. Y. B., served in the 19th O. V. I. })rior to 
receiving a commission in the 125th. 

LniMitACH, Lieut. Charles, was accidentally drowned from 
steamer " Glidden " at Cleveland, Ohio. 

Mastkhs, Joseph D., of K, is a clergyman. 

Masters, G. H., of Iv, is a [)liysician. 

Miller, William, of E, told a comrade that his real name 
was David W. Barber. 

Newlin, Lieut. W. H., 78rd Illinois, writes, relative to Op- 
dycke's report of the battle of Franklin, that it is the 
concurrent opinion of T-bd Illinois men that they were 



450 OFDYCKE TIGERS, 

at no time east of the pike, the inference beins^ that the 
charge was commenced before tliey had time to reach 
the position given the regiment in the report. The 
report shows that the charge was commenced while the 
several regiments were moving into position. 

Penfield, Lieut. H. IST., resides at 29 Central Street, Spring- 
iield, Mass. 

PosTLEWAiT, Lieut. Alex. H., was so generally called Postle 
that most of his army associates did not know his full 
name. 

Powers, Capt. Ti. C, went to Mississippi at the close of the 
war, bought a plantation and raised cotton ; in conse- 
quence of favoring the Reconstruction act was nominat- 
ed by the Reconstruction Party for Lieutenant Governor 
in 1869, and elected; in 1871 became Governor by the 
election of Governor Alcorn to the IT. S. Senate, and 
served acceptably to all the people, but was succeeded 
by an extreme Radical, General Ames. 

Rice, Capt. Ralsa C, served ten months in Company D, 2nd 
O. V. C, before joining the 125th. 

Scripture, Edwin A., of D, was in every battle with the 
125th. 

Tuttlk, .Iosepu, of D, mentioned on page 261 by mistake as 
discharged in May, 1864; it was May, 1865. 

Vallandix<jham, George B., of E, is editor of the North 
Dakota Patriot. 

Williams, Cai>t. W. S., did double dut}- in tlie Atlanta cam- 
paign, having commanded a company in the Pioneers' 
Battalion, as well as Com})any G, 125tli. AVhen did the 
})ioneers sleep in that campaign '( 

WiLLL\Ms, John S., of D, was in every battle witii the 125th. 

"Wood, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. (on retired list), resides at Day- 
ton, Ohio. 



ROSTER^INDEX. 



Officers and Men of 125th O. V. I. 



FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel. 

Eirersoii Opilycke— Died at New York in 1885. Captain Ct). A. 41st O. V. I.; Colonel 
li'ith O. V. I.; wonnrtefl at Shiloh and at Resaea ; Brevet Brigadier General; 
Brigadier General, and Brevet Major General to date from battle of Franklin, 
November 30. Ib64. 

Lieutenant Colonel. 

Henry B. Banning— Deceased. Portrait, 8: mentioned, 11, 22, 24, 40, 4:i, h'l, 07,227: 

Colonel 121st (). V. I. and lO'ith O. V. I.; Brevet Brigadier General to date March 

13, ISC).). 
David H. Moore- Cincinnati, O. Portraits. 10, 272: mentioned, 12, 14, .'57,147, 197, 199, 

201, 202. 203, 20.=), 211, 213, 217, 221 , 229. 230, 231, 2i8, 2iU, 276, 277, 287, 306. 309, 43t), 448. 
Joseph Brutt— Died Nov. 4, 188.5. See Major B.: portrait, 2; mentioned, 373, 375, 376, 

377, 378, 38-1. 3S7. 388, 389, .393, 394, 405, 408, 409, 410, 415, 420, 423. 424, 427. 

Major. 

George L. Wood— Deceased. Portrait, 3; mentioned, 14, 20, .57, 5S. 
Joseph Brnft— See Captain Company A: mentioned, 2o3, 277: wounded, 282 : men- 
tioned, 369, 373: promoted to Lieutenant ("olonel. 

Surgran. 

Henry MeHenry— Deceaseil. Portrait, 14: M.. 14, .57, 5s, 74, 122, 175, 207. :178. :W9. 12ti. 

Assistant Suiyeon. 

John E. Darby-Cleveland, O. Portraits, 214, 322: mentioned. 14, 122. 261. 
Porter Yates— Port Clinton, O. Portrait, 21 : mentioned. 60. 
James G. Buchanan— Alleghanv. Pa. Mentioned. 122. 376, 441. 
William E. McKim— Deceased. " Mentioned, 38J, 408, 41u. 

Adjutant. 

Edward G. Whitesides— Philadelphia, Pa. Portraits, 11, 280; mentioned, 12, 14, 21, 
24, .58, 71. 75, 76, 113, 12-', 12), 125, 217; promoted; see Captain Company A. 

Ridgely C. Powers— Pboeuix, Arizona. Acting Adjutant ; see Co. C ; M., 233, 234. 

Nyrum Phillii.s— .^ioux Falls, S. Dak. Portrait, 84; meeutioued, .377, 378, 3S0, 1^89; 
see Quartennaster and Company B and I. 

Freeman Thoman (acting)— Denver, Col. See Co. A. Co. H and Co. D. 

J. H. Blackburn i acting)— Latimer, O. See Company F and Comiiany A. 

Quartermaster. 

Abuer B. Carter- Portrait, 195 : mentioned, 14, 43, 195, 217. 261. 26:!. 

Nvrum Phillips— Sioux Falls, S. Dak Promoted to Adjutant. 

Wniiam H. Crowell— Maple City, Mich. Portrait. ;151 : mentioned, 3(M, 377, 389. 

Chaplaiyi. 
Rev. John \V. Lewis— Fairhault, Minn. Portrait. 215: M.. :;02, :»), 375, 376, 137. 

Sertiennt Major. 

1 Seabnrv A. Smith— Kille<l in battle. P.. 203; M.. 74; Pro.; see Lieut. Smith, Co. L 

2 Freeman Collins— Killed in battle. M., 122, 175, 200: Pro.; sec Lieut. Collins, Co. D. 

3 Henry A. Bell— Mentioned, 242, :i90. 

Hud.s"on Fitch (acting)— See First Sergeant Company D. 



-Abbreviations: P. for portrait : M. for mentione<l : Pro. for promoted : Disc, for dis- 
charged. 



452 OPDYCKE TIGERS. 



FIELD AND STAFF.— CwJ^mHcd. 
Quartermaster Sergeant. 

4 Melviu E. Hillis — ^Marion, lud. Portrait, 37; mentioned, .i9, tiO. 

■) William H. Crowell— Maple City, Mich. See Co. B: M., 59, 175: Pro.: see above. 

f> Henry Lord— See Company K ; mentioned, 390. 

Commisary Sergeant. 

7 Hezekiah N. Steadman — Deceased. Portrait, I'lii : mentioned, 122, 124, 217,262; pro- 

moted First Lieutenant Company E, and Cayitain ('omi)any K. 

8 Thomas Trimble— See Company F; portrait, 192: mentioned, 175, 890. 

Hospital Steward. 

9 Simon Herring — Died in service. Mentioned, 57. 

10 George Detrick— Mentioned, 58, 390. 

.1. F. Scott (acting)— Sarcoxie, Mo. See Company F: portrait, 177. 

J'rincipal Mii)<ifian. 

11 Peter Deni me— Mentioned, (10. 

12 Samuel H. Sidlinger— Hutchinson, Kan.s. Mentioned, 390. 

13 Benjamin F. Yoiing—.Tefferson, O. Portrait, 3S4; mentioned, ;)90. 



William Hull— Warren, O. Portrait, 2.^4; mentioned. 584. 

Francis R. Davis— Huntsville, Ala. Joined Octol)er 17, isdl. at Chattanooga and 
went North with Company A in June, 1865. 



COMPANY A. 

Captain. 

Joseph BruflT— See Lieutenant Colonel lirutl'. Portrait, 2: mentioned, 3, 122, 176, 177, 
179, 217 ; promoted ; see >[ajor B. 

Edward G. Whitesidcs— Philadelphia, Pa. See Adjutant: jiortraits, 11. 280: men- 
tioned, 263, 280, 281 : wounded, 282: nientidned, 356, S7(), 390, 441. 441. 

First Lieutenant. 

l{ot)ert H. Stewart— Killed in battle. P., 4 ; M..3, ,58.217: Pro., see Capt. Company D. 
.Mexaiider Dickson— Canlield, O. See Se(u>nd I-ieutenant lielow : portraits, KiS, 368; 

mentioned. 217. 301 ; prtmioted. see Ca])tMin Company K. 
David K. Blystone— Kladeiisliurg, O. Portrait, 99; See Second Lieutenant (Company 
('.and Sergeant Conipiinv F.: mentioned, :i03. :!41,;i7!i, 3S2: wonnde<l. 3.53 : meii- 

tioned, 424. 427, 1S7, 4:;9. 440. 411, 444, 118. 
Thomas H. Malian— Portrait, 113>; meiitioiie(l, :177. :!90: see » oiii p.nn ( '. 

.'^riviitl I.iculrnaiit. 

.MexandiM- Dickson— Canlield, ( ). M.. :>. 16; Pro., see above and (apt. Company K. 
Daniel K. Hush— Ciiilon , ( ). See First Sergeant : mentioned, 392. 

First Sergeant. 

14 James B. Morri.s— Kille<l in battle. Portrait, 156; mentioned, 94, 100, 126. 

15 Ereeman Thoman— Denver, Col. 1'.. 59, 295: M., 16, 177, 217: Pro., see Co. H. audi). 

16 Josiah H. Blackburn — l.atiincr. (). I'.,::41: M., 262 : Pro., see Lieut. Cos. I and F. 

17 Daniel K. Bush— Canton. (>. Mentioned, 376. 390, :W2 ; Pro., see above : M.. 124. 

.^crfiKDits. 

18 William Towiiseiid — Died at Alliance. O. Wounded, .lol. 

19 Nathan .]. Thomas— Sabetliii, Ivans. Portrait, 192: mentioned, :!82, ::9li. 

20 ,b)si'iih H. Navlor- Died at Heloit, ().. in 1895. Portrait. 131 : meiit ioned, .57, 418. 

21 Michael Woolford— Chase City, \'ii. Portrait. 2:!7 : wounde<l, 212 : mentioned, 381. 

22 Kol)ert P. King— Akron, ( »liio'. Woumled, 212: nu'iitioned, :!8s. 

Corixiraly. 

23 Luther S. Calvin — Pa.sadeini, Cal. Portrait, 23 ): wounded, 2:!0; incntioned, 231, 39(1. 

24 Silas Coy— Calla, (). Portrait, 4:i6 ; mentioned, :!'.tn. 

25 Joslina Crouse- Died at E. Lewistown. (). Wonudi'd, 2S2 : incntioiic(l, :;8l. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 453 



( OMI'AX V A.—Cortwrals—Coiiliniial. 

26 JauK's R. Dk'kson— Caiififld, (). Portrait. 12S: wounded, 1L"J. '270: M., 2(i3, .■?9i). 

27 James Dickscin— Died at Kllsworth, (). Mentioned, 390, 437. 

28 George Hort'man-Mcntioned. 11. 

29 William Hiition — I'drtrait, :'.!■") ; wounded, 3-54 : mentioned, 388. 

30 Alex. U. Pollock— I)ie<i in service. Mentioned, 63. 

31 Epliraim Snvdcr— Killed in battle, 241. 

32 John H. Staiuii— Mt. Iiiioii. (). Mentioned, 217. 

33 Irvin Thoiiian— Huron, S. Dak. Portrait, 370; mentioned, 390. 

34 Charles Warner— Apple Creek. (). Portrait. 268: wounded, 307; mentioned. 3H0. 
;!5 Disihton Young— Wounded, 130,282; mentioned, 390. 

Enlisted Men. 

:^6 Arbuckle, George — Wt)unded, 2!0; mentioned, 38S. 

87 Baker, Sylvanus—Greenford, O. Portrait, 40:!; mentioned, 264, 390. 

:>s Barricks, Heurv L. — Tipton. Mo. Mentioned, ,i7. 

.39 Bates, George \V.—Snode.s, (). I'ortrait, 80; wounded, 131 : mentioned. 390. 

40 Baughman. Jacob— Deceased. Mentioned, 388. 

41 Beerraan, George— Hadley. Pa. Portrait. :iuj; mentioned, 390, 448. 

Blackburn, Josiah H.— First Sergeant, see No. 16, also Company I and Company F. 

42 Blim, Jacob S. — Deceased. Mentioned. .s3, 264. 

43 Blim, John S.— New Castle, Pa Portrait, 2:W ; mentioned, .390. 

44 Boner, John— Deceased. Mentioned. 374, 388, 4;S4, 4:^): portrait, 429. 
4-5 Bunnel, Horace— Died in service, 63. 

46 Bunnel, Reubin— Killed in battle. 178. 
Bush, Daniel K. — First Sergeant, see No. 17. 

47 Callaliaii, Alliert— Green ford, O. Mentioneil. 37."), :>90. 

45 Callahan, Jeremiah— Died of wotmds, 241. 

49 Callahan, Joshna-Polanil, O. Mentioned, 7.'i. 

50 Callahan, MathiasC— Greenford, O. Portrait. 21(i; woumlcd. 211 : M., 212, ;577, 390. 

51 (Calvin, George W.— Died in .service, 60. 

.'i2 Calvin, Jacob B.— Died in service, ."il ; portrait, 33 

53 Calvin, John P.— Deceased. Disc, on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 11, 1862; M., 433. 
Calvin. Luther S. — Corporal, see No. 23. 

54 Carr, Edward — No record found. 

55 Color, Solomon — North Lima, O. Mentioned, 52. 
Coy, Silas — ('orporal, see No. 24. 

.56 Coy, Simon S.—Hdldeii, Mo. Mentioned, 83. 

57 Creps, Jacob— Killed in liattle, 127; portrait, 9(1. 

58 Creps, Jeremiah— North Lima.O. Portrait. 39/ : mentioneil. :!90. 
Croiise, Joshua — Corpiu'al. see \o, 2.'). 

.59 Danforth, John— Killed in battle. 241. 

60 Detchon, Cornelius J.— Killed in l)attle. 241 : portrait. 236. 
Dickson, James R. — Corporal, si'e No. 26. 

Dickson, James — Corporal, see No. 27. 

61 Dickson, William— Died of wounds, 241. 

62 Erb, David B.— Youimstown, O. .Mentioned. 374, :!90. 

63 Flack. James— Killed in battle, 241. 

61 Fosuancht, Emory A.— North Lima, O. Portrait, 394; mentioneil. :W1, 419. 

65 Getz, John— Mentioned, 374, 3S8. 

66 Goodman. Isaac— Died in service, 60; portrait, 4:!7. 

67 Harrifi". Sylvester— Died of wounds, 127. 

68 Hartzell. Joseph D.— Berlin Center, O. Mentioned. :;9,i: portrait, 457. 

69 Hilton, Henry— South New Lyme, O. Mentioned. ;!90 ; portrait, 438. 
Hoffman. <;eiirge— Corfioral, see No. 28. 

Huttou, William— Corporal, see No. 29. 

70 Inlihlt, Cornelius— Killed in battle, 2Z6. 

71 Kelly, Ell C— Wounded, 180; nuMitioned, 39). 
King, Robert P.— Sergeant, see No. 2.'. 

72 Lazarus. Oriu L.— Deceaseil. Portrait. 4;{S; mentioned. :175, :!S8, 42S. 

73 Llovd, David— Died in service. Portrait. 438 : mentioned, 196. 

74 Meiger, Peter— New BulValo, (). Portrait. :!')5; wounded. 131 : mentioned. 317, :W,X 

75 MilTer, Alexander— Died of woumls. 127. 

76 Miller, Samuel A.— Mentioned. 390. 

77 Morniugstar, Samuel— Died in service Wounded. 212: died. 374. 
Morris, James B.— First Sergeant, see No. I I. 

78 Naylor, Johu C— Died in service. Portrait, 115; mentioned, 44. 
Naylor, Joseph B. -Sergeant, see No. 20. 

79 Osboru, William— Died in service, 63. 
Pollock, Alexander D.— Corporal, see No. 30. 

80 Ramsev, James P.— Calla. O. Portrait, ;'.50 ; wounded, 354; mentioned, 133. 379, 3.W. 
SI Richmond, Thomas— Deceased. Wounded, 242; transferred to Company I, 390. 

.S2 Rup]iert. Jai'ob W.— New S|iringlield. o. Woumled. :169: mentioned, :^)90. 



454 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

C( )MI'AN Y A.—EiilMcdMcn— Continued. 

83 Schioy, Aaron— Uetzer, Mich. Portrait, 53; meutioned, 19ti. 

84 Shenefiel, Jared— Cold Water, Mich. Meutioned, 382, 390. 
Suvder, Ephraim— Corporal, .see No. 31. 

85 Spickler, Thomas— Deceased. Meutioned, 390, 426. 
Stamp, John H.— Corporal, see No. 32. 

86 Steves, John- Deceased. Mentioned, 44. 

87 Stone, Albert— Mentioned, 390, 437. 

Thoman, Freeman— First Sergeant, see No. 15, also Company H and Company D. 
Tlioman, Irvin — Corporal, see No. 33. 
Thomas, Nathan .T.— Sergeant, see No. 19. 

88 Tool, Francis— Bcloit, O. Portrait, 439; mentioned. 217. 390. 
Townscnd. William— Sergeanat, see No. 18. 

Wagner, t:harlcs— Corporal, see No. 34. 
.S9 Webb, Lewis— Died of wounds, 127; poi'trait, 93. 

90 Weikart, George W.— Alliance, O. Mentioned, 390. 

91 Wilson, Isaac— Died of wounds., 271, 272. 

92 Wining, Jonathan— Deceased. Wounded, 242; mentioned, 388. 

93 Wining, Nicholas— E. Lewistou, O. Portrait, 238 ; wounded, 242; meutioned, 390. 
Woolford, Michael — Sergeant, see No. 21. 

Young, Dighton— Corj)oral, see No. .35. 

COMPANY B. 

Capfain. 

Albert Yeomaus— Deceased. P., 7, 16 : M., 43, 74, 122, 124, 1:50, 261, 424, 427, 428, 434, 436. 
Ridgley C. Powers— Phoenix. Ariz. See Company C ; portraits., 6, 23 > : meutioned. 
301, 338, 375, 380, 383, 389, 392, :!95, 450. 

Firi<t Lieutenant. 

Elmer Moses— Denver, Col. P. 15, 392; wounded, 282; INI., 7,217; see Captain Co. E. 
Kalsa C. Rice— Warren, O. Portrait, 340; wounded, 282; mentioned, •a7,341, 377, 382; 

promoted to Cai)tain Company D, and see below. 
Henry Glenvilk — Portrait, Icib: wounded, 12S; mentioned, 382, 392; .see Company H. 

Secowl Lieutenant. 

('harlcs Hiirshman— Soutliington, (). Portraits, 20, til; meutioned, 7, CO. 
Kalsa ('. Kicc — Pro. from Sergeant; Pro. to First Lieut.; see above and Capt. Co. D. 
Thoiiiiis M. Puruliam— Died of wounds. 27S ; Portrait, 264 ; M. 131, 262. 282, 43.5. 
Kufiis K. Woods- Transfer, Pa. Sei' First Sergeant ; meutioned, ;W2. :i96, 4:>6. 

Fiyxt Sergeant. 

94 Richard K. Hulse— Kinsman, O. Portraits, 78, 368; ^L. 176, 217 ; Pro., see Company K. 

95 Rufus E. Woods— Transfer. Pa. Portrait, 166: wounded, ISO; meutioned, 392, 396; 

promoted to Second IJcutenant. 

SfrijeanlK. 

William H. Crowell— Maple City, :Mich. See No. 5, Field and Staff"; portrait, 351. 

96 Ralsa C. Rice— Warren, O. Promoted to Lieutenant of B, and Ca))taiu of D. 

97 Thomas M. Hurnliain— See above; woiuided. 131; i)rot rait, 264 : Pro. to Lieutenant. 

98 Albert Mathews— Kinsman. O. I'ort raits, 69, :5.55; nu'iitioned, 396, 122. 424, 436. 

99 Frederick II. Knight — Died Aug. 6. 1S93. Portrait, 66; mentioned, 396. 424, 4:57,415. 

100 William 11. Kitcli— l>incsville. Pa. Mentioned, :;96. 

101 .lames M. Murdock— Killed in battle, :!53 ; portrait. :!.;3. 

102 Kolin D. Harnes— Portrait, ;;21 ; nu'Utioncd. :!9, .59, 124. 217 ; Pro. to l.icnt. ( 'onii.any C. 
lO:! (Jeorge P. Davis— .lanicstown. Neb. Mculioiied. :;96 : i>ortrait, 42:!. 

Corpariih. 

104 Darwin F. Allen— Kinsman, O. J'ortrait. :i6 ; mentioned. 60. 

105 Sylvester T. Ilarshnutli- W. Farniingtfni, O. Portrait, :!>S9; nientione<l, :i'.i(i. 

106 Lvmau Root-Died .lime 27, 1892. Portrait, :373; mentioned, ;!M, 3;t6, 424. 4:59. 

107 Wallace .1. Ileiiry—Andover, O. Portrait, 178; wounded, 1.S0, 282 ; mentioned, 396. 
lO.H Isaiah I'.idwn — Mentioned, :596. 

109 .lolni Tlioiiii'son- Mcntioncil. ;'.96. 

110 William M. .lolu]son — Killc<l in battle. 127: I'ortniit, 127 : mcntiinu'd, i:;5. 

111 William Wa.sson-Kichardsville. Pa. Wo\ni(U'd. l:;i ; jiortrait, :!S1 ; M., 2:50, :i96. 

112 William II. Lee — iMciloiiiM. Pa. Wounded, 271 ; port rait . K'l ; menliont'il. ::s|. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 455 

COMPANY li.—Ciiii/iiiiird. 
Enli.ftcd Men. 

113 Adkius, Dennis. I. —Died Sept. 1.!, 18S5. Disehaixed for <liMil)ilil\ .Inly, l^ii:;; M. 138. 
Allen, Darwin F.— Corporal, see No. 104. 

114 Austin, Charles .V.—Williinnstiekl, O. I'ortrait, 42; nienlioned. 7."i. 
Barnes. Rollin 1).— SerKvant. see No. 102, also Lieutenant Coni|>any (i. 

Boyd, Enoch— See Company C, No. 2;> t; on page 2.'!',) credited to Co. 15 h> mistake. 

115 Brainard, Knierson — Warren, O. Mentioned, 57. 

116 Briggs, Ethan (J. — Died of wo\inds. 127 : mentioned, 4;i.'). 

117 Brittou. Darius— Titusville. Pa. Wounded, 180 ; mentionivi. :',',l(l. 
Brown, Isaiah — Corporal, see No. Iiw. 

118 Brown, Morgan— Burn Hill, O. Mentioned, (ii! ; portrait. IJ'.i. 

119 Brown, Oliver K.— Troy, Kans. Portniit, l'.):l; mentioned, :l:M'.. 

120 Brown, Thomas— Shar)isville. I'a. Mentioned, H'.tC. 

121 Brown, Walter — Manchester, Iowa. Mentioned, :!90. 

122 Bundv, Orlando— \V. I'armingtou, O. Moutif>ned, :;'.«;. 

123 Burnett, James— Sharon. Pa. Meutioneil, :'.s,s. 
Burnham, Thomas M. — Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. 97. 

124 Carr, ,Ioel — Deceased. Mentioned, :!'.!(): substitute for A. P. Morse. 

125 Carev, Jes.se H.— Laurence, Nel) W<iuudcd, mo : iiortrait. 109: mentioned, :j!)f). 

126 Cook, Gilbert L.— Mentioned, :!9i;. 

127 Covert, William A.— Died in service, ."d ; [lortrait, -'A. 

128 Cranston. James -<;ran<l Crossing. Ills. Mentioned. :'.0;i. 

Crowell, William H. — Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. .'>, and i^uarlermaster. 

129 Dana. William A.— Died of wounds, 2:iO: portrait, 220. 
Davis, George P.— .Sergeant, see No. lOM. 

130 Davis, William E.— Mentioned, 35.3. 

131 Fetin Samuel— .ndmstouville, O. Woundeil. 282 : portrait, 2ii;! : nuouioned, .■!S8. 

132 Fishel, Warren H.— \V. Karmington, O. Portrait, J.i7 : woundt'cl, 2i;0: M., 230. 39f). 

133 Fishel, Weslev C. — W. Farmiugton. O. Portrait, 270; wounded, 270; mentionetl, 388. 

134 Fitch, Adrian— Killed in battle. 281 ; portrait, 200; meutioneil, -i:!.'). 

135 Fitch, C. Orasmus— Cornelian, O. Wounded. 2:!0. iiortra-it. 228 ; uuntioned, 396. 

136 Fitch, Perrv— Died in Rebel prison. Wounded and cajitured. 127; 1'.. 120; M., 435. 

137 Fitch, Will'iam-Bnrg Hill. O. Portrait, ::o:;. 
Fitch, William R.— Sergeant, see No. loO. 

138 Floody. James— Trimbelle, Wis. Wounded, 13!, 181 ; discharged, 316. 

139 Fobes] Franklin J.— Ivinsman. O. Portrait. 2)8. wounded, 211: menlione<l, 381, 396. 

140 French, Caleb— Mesopotamia, O. Portrait, 343; mentioned. 313, 396, 149. 

141 French, George— Braceville, O. Portrait. -'iS ; mentioned, 51, .57. 

142 Gartner, John P.— Died June 5, 1893. Mentioned, 388, 440; iK)rtrait, 426. 

143 Gates, Orin F.— Die<l in service. 60. 

144 Giddings. Harvey— Gustavus, O. Mentioned, 3!)6. 

145 Gildard, Henry li. —Solon. O. Portrait, .54 ; inentioned, 147. 

146 Gillis, John— kinsman, O. Portrait, :)03 . menticnied, 306. 

147 Gilmore, Emorv— Williamstield. (). Wounded, 273; i)ortrait, 27:! : mcnlioncil, ;!96. 

148 GoflF, Porter A.— Died April 9. 1892. Wounded, 130, 4;!9 ; portrait, 121. 

149 Griflith, Hezekiah L.— Wounde.l. l:! ). 

150 Hagar, Asa— Died of wininds. 282. 
Harshman. Sylvester T.— Corporal, see No. 105. 

1.51 Hatch, Nathan B.— Killed in battle, 272; portrait, 250; mcnti.>ne<l, 2.59. 

152 Heath, Thomas P.— Died in service, Aug. 7. 186:;, at Nashville, 'I'eun. 

153 Henry, Charles W.— Died in service, 57. 
Henry, Wallace J. -Cor|>oral, see No. 107. 

Hulse, Richard K. — First Seigeant, see No. 94, idso Lie\it. < nnipanv K :ind < ompanv C. 
Johnson, William M.— Corporal, see No. 110. 

1.54 Jones, Washington- Portrait. 57 : mentioned, 117. 

1.55 King, John W.— Cherry Valley. O. Wounded. 2S2 : Portrait. 267 : nuntioued, ;i96. 
Knight, I'rederiek H,— Sergeant, see No. 9.i. 

Ia'c, William H:— Corjjoral, see No. 112. 

1.56 Loutzenhisar. Thomas— Farmdale, O. Portrait, 115 ; meutioucd. 131, :;iti;. 
Mathews, .\lbert — Sergeant, see No. 98. 

157 McMichael, Dudlev— Portrait, 40; mentioned, .57. 4.35. 

1.58 Meacham. Norris— Died Sept. 26. is.s'.t. Mentioned, 306, 431, 4:!6. 

Morse, Apollos P.— Joel Carr scrveil as liis substitute, see No. 121 and page :i'.t6. 

159 Moses, Seth F.— Mentioned, 147. 

160 Mossmau, John c —Wichita. Kans. Portrait, 387 : mentioned, 306. 

161 Mossmau, Rufus IL— Killed in battle, 127; jiortrait, 128; mentioiu'd, 4 '.5. 

162 Munlock, George— Fsirmdale. O. Wounds, 2S2, 352. portrait. .".:!;': uu'utioucd, :;.I6. 
Murilock, James M.— Sergeant, see No. lul. 

163 Paden, James— Died J\dy 7, 1804. Portrait. 5". ; nuMiticuu'd. 10 i. 115. 

164 Pau(iuett. Theojdiih — Woun<led at Resaca. 

165 Peck, Almon<l— Deceased. Mentioned. :'.Oii. 4:!1. 4;;i;; portniit. III. 

166 Peck, E. E.— l)ecease<l. Portrait. 2iH ; nuMitioued. 217. 

Kw Perrin.uer. Micliael— Kied Marcli 12. 1805. Meutioneil. 63. lis. 



456 OFDYLKE TIGERS, 

COMPANY n. — KiilMf:<l Mni-Vi)iitinii<'(l. 

1G8 Pigott, George— Mentioned, H!i6. 

Kii) Pollock, Jaiiics M.—SliU(|ualak. Mis>. Woiindeil, I.SO; lueniidiieil. o'.h;, |:;7. 

170 Reynolds, K<l\viu M.— Meiitidiied, SKi : transferred to ('oni])aii.\ »'. 

Kiee, Ralsa •'.— Sergeant and Caiitain. -^ee No. iiO and Caiitain <'oiiiiian.\ I). 

171 Rice, RoVjert F.— Killed in Ijattle, :^7-J: portrait, 'ios. 

172 Robinson, Gideon A. — Mentioned, :">!•(>: transferred to Coiniiany < '. 
Root, Lvnian— Corporal, see No. lOtl. 

17S Smitli, William M. -Mentioned, 147. 

174 Smith. William '1'.— Died April 1, 1S75. Portrait, 44 ; menlinncd. ii:!. 

17.'> Splitstoiie. Levi— Died in service. .')7 : mentioned, 43.j. 

17t) .'^prague, Francis— Meso]iot!imia, (». Wonnded, 130; dischargeil. 'Js:; ; poitrait. 4:!s. 

177 Strattoii. George — Greenslmrg, (). Mentioned, oitO ; transferred to ('(inipaiiy ('. 

178 Stroble. George — Died in s<.-rviee, 1 17. 
Tlnnniison, .lohn — Corporal, see No. lO'.l. 

17',' Tidd, .James M.— Died in service. T.Hi: mentioned ,435. 

KSO Tracy, Henry X.-Farmdiile, G. Wcnmdcd and captured, 12'.t : poriraii. IJ:'> : M.,3'.tt). 

181 Turner, Harrison— Died Jan. 24. 1.S77. Mentioned, 7.'i : imrliait, i:i!i. 

182 Vesey, William D.— Portrait, 2(10: mentioned. :i;n;. 

1.83 Warren, Jones K. — San Diego, Cal. Portrait, :;h',i: nicniioiied. iI'.h;. 

Wasson, William— Corporal, see No. 111. 
184 Waters, Elmer H. — Died in the service, tio : portrait, 47. 

18.'') Welch, Patrick— Decea.sed. Wonnded and captured. 12'.i: wninidcd, ls2: M.. :!;i6, -140. 
ISf) Welch. John W.— Died of wounds, 127. 
11S7 Williams, Joel N.— Died in service, C)3 : mentioned. V.V\ 
188 Wood, David B.—SpringHeld, Mo. Portrait, 173 : wounded. l::i . IsO: mciiiioued. S'^S. 

Woods, Rufus E.— First Sergeant and Lieutenant, .see No. 'Xk 
18<t Woodworth, Edwin C— W. Williamstield, O. Portrait, -I'M : w.iundcd. 2'.i3 : M.. 3yt;. 

I'OMl'ANV c. 
Ciiptaiii. 

F.lward P. Bates— San Francisco, Cal. Portraits. ."), •■',10: ni.. r>.i\. 113. 122. 121, 160, 17."), 
178, 208, 200, 300, 3.'4, 338, ::30, 3.V2. .370, :;77, 370, 3,S!I. 3i)ri. .300, 1(1:;, ilo. 120, 121. 448. 

Fiiyl Lidiidiaiit. 

Demon R. Harmon — Deceased. Mentioned, C, .')7, 433. 

Kidglev C. Powers- Phoenix, Ariz. P., tJ, 235 : M., (i, 217, 23:1, 231 ; I'm., see Capt. Co. B. 

Richard K. Htdse- Kinsman, O. Portraits, 78, 3C>7: mcniioucd. :;02. 300, 3(")0, 404, 405, 

410, 43(): see Compauv B and <omi>anv K. 
Alson C. Dilley— Killed in battle. Portrait. 283: M.. 123. 124. 217. 278. 2M : see below. 

Sicoilil l.initl IKlDt. 

I-tidglcy C. Powers — Phoenix. Ariz. Promoted, see abo\c. 

Nynnii I'hillii)s — Siou.x Falls. S. Dak. Mentioned. 217 ; Pro., ^ci' Lieut. Company L 

.\ison (";. Dillcv— Killed in battli'. Promoted, see above. 

David K. Blys'tonc — Bladensbnrg. O. See Co. F: M., -17, 2.11, :'.(I3: Pro., >,.(■ Co. A. 

Thomas K, Maban — Portrait, Ibl: nienlioned. 3I>2: in'omctcd, --ec c,i)ri|iaiiy A. 

/■•/,■.-■/ s,ninu,t. 

100 Nyrum Phillips— Siotl.K Falls, .<. DaU. Pro., see above, also Cn. 1 ,nid Field and Staff. 

101 Thomas R. Mahan— 302; i)romotcd. sec above. 

102 .Sharon French-Died Dec. 24. isoi. P.. 23:1: .M.. :!11 , :;oo, mi, |:;<,i: I'm., m'c Lieut, Co. E. 
193 Mark Keith— Mentioned. 41(i. 

104 ALsou C Dilley -Promotcil to Licuicnant. see above. 

105 Silas N. Jones— Mentioned. 217. 

ftif) Jolin A. Canon— Orangcville. o. Portrait. Ill : nieutione<i. 170. :!01 : wouniled. 2:>0. 

107 Sidncv Hiu'gius— (in'cusburg. O. Portrait, :!;!0 : mentioned, lln. 

108 Clinli'in IL Plieliis— Die<l .lunc 10. I.s7(i. Wounded, 2:!0 . mcutioiie<l, iKi. 

190 John Murphv— ( hampion. ( ). WiuindeiL 273 : portrait. 2(1 : uicutiducd. llo. 

200 Zalmon F. Morris— Maccouib. III-. Wounded. 262: portrait. 2:; I : ni.iil ioucd. 2.i3, 410. 

201 flcorgc W. Simpson — Died of u (lumls. 211 : woumliMl i:ii. 

202 Joscpli WiN.iii— Captured. 75. 

'J03 Wiiliani S. Thorn--St. Paul. .Minn. lU mistake, poriraii ..t s. l-iciH-b, on p. IIL 

creclited to Thorn. Woiindrd, VI'.'. isii: imrtrail. 10 i: incul ioncil, i:;ii. lid. 
204 James Sauiicr— New ton. Kails, Woiiiidcd , l:! i. J 12 : jKirl mil , 1 17 : iiieiitiiuied, 110. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 457 

COMl'ANY v.— Corporal."- ConthiiK 1. 

205 KoIrti I'urki'i— IIiitfhiiisDii. Minn. Wounded, 242 : raeutioneii. 410. 

206 ReesC. havis— I.fiKliton, Idwa. Portrait. 42:;: nu'ntioned. 402, 410. 

207 Clark Van Wie— Died .^pril 14, ls,s4. Portrait, 70: nientionod, 410. 
20S Archibald Hill— .^haron. Pa. Portrait, .'.TO : mentioned, 410. 

209 Thoma.s ]). Conierford— Seniproniu!«, X. Y. Portrait, :W(J; mentioned, 410. 

210 Chester Tuttle— Kenihvorth, O. Wounded, ;«i7: portrait, 2.S8 : M., 884, 424, 43(). 

Enlisted Mr II. 

211 Aljrams, Kdwin Z.— Killed in battle. 127; portrait. 1:1:1. 

212 Andrews, .loseph — Died in service. 51. 

213 Andrews, Simon II.— Died .Mav, IsiiS. Mentioned, 408. 

214 Armstrong. Sanfurd— Menti(ine(l, 401, 410. 

215 Arnold, William R.— Mentioned, :174. 410. 

216 Baker, Henry— Died in service, s:5. 

217 Bascom, Howard— Wounded, 2S2, :154 : mentioned, ;!94. 
Bell, Henrv A.— Promoted, see Sergeant Major, No. S. 

218 Bell. John'T.- Deceased. Mentioned, 410. 

219 Borden, Trumen— Died .Ian. 8. isi»i). Mentioned, 147, 4:!4, 4:!<i. 

220 Bonton,. hired— Mentioned, 110. 

221 Boyd, Enoch- Franklin, Pa. Wounded, 242; portrait, 2:39 ; nu'ntii)ned. 410. 

222 Brainard, Erastus — l)ecease<l. Mentioned, 8:3, 4;39. 

223 Brainard, Chaur.cey— San FramMsco, Cal. Disc. Sept. 1863 on 'burgeon's certificate. 
Brings, iLthan C— See C<>mi)auy B. No. 116 and page 127. 

224 Brinier, Edward— Menomonie, Wis. Portrait, 400; mentioned, 410. 

225 Brockett, Linus H.— Deceased. Mentioned, 57. 

226 Brown, Charles— Mentioned, 410. 

227 Burrow. Anthonv— Deceased. Wounded and captured, iJ'.i; mentioned, 433. 

228 Campbell, John— MeiUioncd, :ws. 
Canon, ,lohu A. — Sergeant, see Xo. 196. 

229 Carleton, Simeon — Killed in battle, 220 ; poii rail, 226. 

230 Case, Jason — Greensburir. <>. Portrait. 29.s ; mentioned, 372, 37.s. 

231 Charles, William— Died Fe)). 18, 1888. Mi'ntioned. :i81, 428. 

232 Cheuev, Walter— East Orwell, O. Wounded, 211 ; |)ortrait, 207; mentioned, 212, 4:i6. 

233 Clark, "Christopher <'.— Ashtabula, O. Wounded. i:M, ])ortrait, 198 ; mentioned, 302. 

234 Coats, Cassins— Sioux Falls, S. Dak. ^\■ounded. 2S2 ; mentioned, :379. 

235 Comerford, Bernard— Died May, 1871. Mentioned, 410; portrait, 4:35. 
Comerford, Thomas D.- -Corporal, see No. 209. 

236 Cook, Gilbert L.— Mentioned, 410. 

2:37 Corcoran, James— Wounded, 354; mentioned, 110. 

238 Cowdry, Eeolin— Died in service. Dec. 25, 1862, at Cleveland, O. 

239 Curtis, Leonard H.— Cleveland, O. Wounded, 230; mentioned, 407. 

240 Custer, Joseph— Died in service, :303. 
Davis, Rees C. — <;'orporal, see Xo. 206. 

Dilley, Alsoii C— Sergeant and Lieutenant, see Xo. 174. 

241 DilleV, Jonathan- Died in service at Franklin, Tenn., March 2s. l,s(;3. 

242 Fav. TlKnnas- Cleveland, (). Portrait, 240; mentioned. 242, 402, 410. 124. 449. 

243 Fehton. John— Die<l .Ian. 16.1873. Mentioned, 196. 

244 Fitch, C. Orasmus— Cornelian, O. .'^ee Company B; mentioned. 410. 
French. Sharon — First Sergeant, see Xo. 192, and see Lieutenant Company E. 

245 Fuller. Lerov—Mt. Avr. Iowa. Portrait, 1392 ; mentioned, 111. 

246 (irav, Morgau— Mentioned, 374, 401. 

247 Hali, Asahel B. Deceased. Mentioned, 44. 

248 Hall, Benjamin— Wounded, i:30 : mentioned, :388. 

249 Hall, John— Died in service. Mcntioneil 110,417. 
2.50 Hall, Levi H.— Mentioned, :!79. 

251 Handley, John— :\lentioiied. 411. 

2-52 Harrison. Kimmel K.— Erie, Mich. Portrait, 117 ; mentioned, 111. 

253 Harwood, John Avery— Farmington, O. Porlrait. 171 ; wounded, 282; M., 180,411. 

2-54 Havden, Chauncev B.'— Deceased. .Mentioned, 196. 

255 Havford. Anson E.— Died in Rebel i>rison. ( aptuicd. 211 : mentioned, 212. 

2.56 Higbee, Elbert R.— Chagrin I'alls, O. Porlrait. W: meiiiioned, 8:3. 

257 Higgins, Hiel— Killed in battle, .353; portrait. :i36. 
Higgins, Sidney- Sergeant, see Xo, 197. 

Hill, Archibald — Corporal, see Xo. 208. 

258 Jack, David— Died in service, 57. 

259 Jestin. (ieorge- Gustavus, O. Mentioned, .302. 
Jones, Silas X.— Serjeant, see No. 195. 

260 Keck, Frederick— Sharon, Pa. Portrait, 116 : mi'nii(in<ML III, 119. 

261 Keck, Xichiilas— Died in service, .57. 
Keith. Mark— First Sergeant, see Xo. 19:!. 

262 King, .lohn W. -Portrait, 267; menti(Uied, 411 ; .see Company B. 

263 Liimli, Ilarvev W.— .letl'erson, (). Portrait, 277; wounded, 2,S2; mentioned, :579. 

264 Latin, (inincv— (ireeusburg, O. Wounded, 242. :'.27: portrait, 211 : mentioned, 411. 



4S8 



OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



COMPANY C.—Enlixted Mcn—Coiifhuird. 



265 Leet, Jiimt's \V.— Died Jan. 23, 1S73. Mentioned, 411. 

266 Lerontie. Bates— Captured, "-"i : ilischarf^ed for wound, dbS, 394. 

267 Luse, Jesse K.— Died Apiil 6, IMM. Portrait, is? : wounded, 287; M., 3>3, 384, 44.i. 

268 MeKinley, William— Hubl)ar(l, (). Wounded, 130, 230; portrait. Ill ; M., 242, 411. 
2rt9 McNutt, Cornelius C— Warren, (). Portrait. 41; mentioned, 44. 

270 Malian, Jolin D.— Haselton. O. Wounded, Jll ; portrait, 412 : mentioned, i^I-'. 411. 
Maban. Tliomas R.— First Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. 191, 

271 Meaeliam, Samuel— Mentioned, 411. 

272 Miller, Joseph — Mentioned. 411. 
jMorris, Zalmon F.— Sergeant, see No. 200. 

273 Morrison, .^amuel T.— Died Oet. 24, 1875. Portrait, 48 ; mentioned, 57. 
Murphy, .lohn— Sergeant, see No. 199. 

:i74 Odell, I'liilander- Caiitured. 317 : mentioned, 394. 

275 Orr, William M.—Youngstown, (). Portrait, 4i)9: mentioned. 411. 

276 O.sborn, John C— Bristolville, O. Mentioned, 411. 
Parker, Robert — Corporal, see No. 205. 

277 Perkins, George— Youngstowii. O. Wounded, 130; portrait, 405; mentioned. 411. 
Phelps, Clinton H.— .STgeanl. see No. 198. 

Phillips. Nvrum— First Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. 19J. 

278 Pinks, Thomas R.— Died Mareli 15, 1S82. .Mentioned, 411. 

279 Pigott, (ieorge— Mentioned, 411. 

280 Porter. Italpb IL— Mentioned, 411. 

281 Powers, .lolm W.~Died in service, 147; portrait, 147. 

282 Radclitl. Minf)s— Wounded, 242 ; mentioned, 411. 

Reynolds. Kdwin M.— Mentioned, 407; transferred from Company 11. see No. 170 

283 Richardson, Gilbert— Reeruit. Dee. 2S, 18(i3. Died when en route to Regiment. 
Robinson, Gideon A.— Mentioned, 394; transferred, see No. 172. 

284 Row, Lorenzo— Mentioned, 394. 

285 Sample, Jesse— Died of wounds. 230. 
Sanner, .lanu's— Cor])oral. sec No. 204. 

286 Sawdv, Warren— Mentioned, 411. 

287 Seal)orn, William -Wounded, 180: mentioned, 384. 

288 Shields, Mark— Wounded, 2ri8; mentioned, 372. 
Simpson, (Jeo. W. — Coiporal see No. 201. 

.289 St. John, Seneca— Calamus, Iowa. Wounded, 242; mentione<l. 411. 

290 Stratton. George— Mentioneil. 411 ; see Company H. 

291 Swarts, Micliael— Wounded and (•ai)tured, 121t ; mentioned, 411. 

292 Swineharl. Kli — Killeil in batlle, 226. -^ 

293 Swinehart, .leremiah— Wounded. 2:i >: mentioned, 381. 

294 Thompson, Tliomas M. — Died Jan 10. 1873. Mentioned, lOii. 

295 Thompson. William— Die<l Nov. 11, 1865. Menlioued, 411. 
Thorn, William S,— Corporal, .see No. 203. 

296 Tod, William D.— Dayton, O. Portrait, 3>77: mentione<l, :'.94. 
Tultle, Chester— Corporal, see No. 210. 

297 Tyler, l<"estus G.— Die(l in service, 303. 
\'an Wie, Clark— Corporal, see No. 207. 

298 Vesev, Alexander— Newton Falls. O. Mentioned. 411. 

299 Wanien, Nathan C.—N. Robinson, (». Mentioned, 411. 

300 Walernuui. (u'orgi — Died Feli. 23. 1866. Wiumded, 282 ; mentioned. Ids. 

301 Waterman, Svlvester— Die<i of wounds, 282. 

302 Watkins, William IL— Wounded, 262 : discharged. 388. 

303 West, Wilmer .1.— Mentioned. 57. 

304 Williams, Joliu— Mentioned, :;72. 

305 Williams. Lewis— Mentioned, 111. 
Wils(ui, ,Ioseph — Coriioral, see No. 202. 

-3<^)6 Ze<laker, Cassins M.— Wounded, 130; mentioned, til. 

Rummage, George— Colored nnder-cook. Mentioned. -59, 111. 

COMPANY D. 

Ci\j>l<ihi. 

IsM.ic D. S)i;iulding —.Mentioned. 8. .57. 

Koherl I?, .stewait— Killed in batlle, .3.53; M.. 122, 176, 177, 217, 379; P., 4; .see Co. A. 
Ital-aC. Kiee-Warren. O. P.,;!IO: M., :W2, :!93, 434. 437, 440, 448, 450, see Lieut. Co. B. 
Knemiin Tboiiian -Denver. Col. Portraits, 59.295; wotinded, 282; M., 392, 402, 411. 

rirsi I.inih iHinl. 

.Marshall M. Richards-Menlioned, 8. 63. 

Kl)hraim P. Kvan.s— Died of wounds. Portrait. t'H; menIione<l, 217, 276, 282. 

<:harles Leimbach-Died Nov. 12. 1882. Portrait. 213 ; w., 2S2 ; M., 302, 399, 411. 119. 



ROSTER-iyDEX. 459 



COM I' A N Y \).—Cnufui iif'd. 

Sd'diid Lii iiti'iitint. 

f^pliraim P. Evans— Dk'il of woiuids. Portrait, tV) ; M., .s, (id, I'Jl, IJ:',; Pro., soc above. 

Fre(Miiau Collins— Killed in l>altle. Mentioned, 122, 217, 21)0, :w7. 

Hndson Fitch— Toledo, O. P .2:)(i: see First Scr.sjeant : M., 107. 11!. IJl. 121. I:l7, 111". 

l-'h:it Sirt)iinit. 

Freeman (Collins— Ser>feant Major and Lieutenant, see N\). 2 and ('oni|ian\- |). 

307 John H. Wliital<er— Portrait, 410 : mentioned, 107. 

308 H)idson Fiteli— Toledo. (). Portrait. 2")ri ; ca|>tun'd :501: nu>nlioued, 2t;i). :','.10, .3".ll, 107. 

l)romoted to Seeond I.ientenaut, see above ; mentioned. 111. 121. 421. liw. 140.441. 

Strgrdiilx. 

309 Jouathau C. Gldding.s— Mentioned, 410. 

310 Edwin D. Scripture— Died .lulv 1, 187(1. Wounded, l::i: mentioneil, 411, l."i0. 

311 John S. Williams— North Dover, O. Portrait. 124 ; wounded. l:;i ; .M.. 411,421. l.;7. 4.50. 

312 Frederick L. Allen— Kent, O. Portrait, 40S ; mentione.l. 10:!. ill, ii'i. 44f). 

313 Darius C. Lindsay— Died in ser\ii'e when on furlon^h in Oliio. 

314 Wallace D. Edwards— Palmyra. (>. Portrait, 170; wounded. 17'.i; meutioni'd, :;ir>, 421. 

C<>i-i)omh. 

315 Thomas C. Evans— Mentit>ne<I, lOii, lOS. 

316 Edwin A. Gilbert— Mentioned, 217. 

317 Svlvanus Force-Milton, O. Mentioned. 411. 

318 Henry E, Oharo— Mentioned, 411. 

319 Charles Smith— Sonthinfiton. O. Portrait, 2'.i7 ; mentioned. 111, 

320 Henry Yonnj,'— Mentioned. 411. 

321 Thomas Gillen— Mentioned, s:;, 411. 

322 David B. Krider- Mentioned. 411. 

323 Almond Hitching— Mentioned, 411, 

324 Meredith F, Evans— Died in service, h~ . 

EnlisUiI Mm. 

Allen, Fred. L. — Sergeant, see Xo. ;U2. 

32.5 Allen, Hiram— Died in Imspital at Cairo, Ills., Nov.. l.stj.5 ; uieutiiuied. 242, 111. 

326 Ames, Solomon— Mentioned, 283. 

327 Baninger. Mi<liael— Absent from November 19, 18W. 

328 Baxter, David— Died at Kavena, O, Mentioned, 60. 

329 Beggs, James— Died Feb, 14, 1893, Wounded, .3n4 : discharged, ;:.s<s: m., 445. 

330 Black, Isaac S.— Madison, O. Portrait, 423 : mentioned. 411. 

331 Bloomer, Daniel— Wounded, 242; mentioned, :!8.»<. 

332 Briner, William L.— Killed in battle, 127. 
833 Clark, Marcus B.— Mentioned, .S3. 

Collins, Freeman — First Sergeant and Lieutemint, see above and I'ield and Start". 

334 Corley, Timothy— Killed in battle. 241. 

335 Dawson, Heurv E.— Mentioned, 411. 
33H Dnc(iuet, Theojihile- Wounded. 242. 

337 Durant. William — Wounded and captured, 129. 
Edwar<ls, Wallace D.— Sergeant, see No. .314, 
Evans, M. F. — Corporal, see No. 324, 

Evans, Thos. C. — Coriioral. see No, 315, 

338 Fagley, Israel— Died at Shreve, O. Mentioned, 4(is. 
Fitch, Hudson — First Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No.30^. 

3;W Flaek, John— Wounded. IsO : mentioned, 411. 
Force, Sylvanus — Corporal, see No. 317. 

340 Fuller, Mortimer J. — Eidisted April 1. ami discharged June 7. isiil. 
Giddings, Jonathan C— .Sergeant, see No. 309. 

Gilbert, Edwin A.— Cor])oral, see No. 316. 

341 Gilbert, C. Lafavette— Cleveland. O. Portrait. 1 li! ; mentioned. KM. 41 1. 122.423.424, 

426, 440, 444, 449. 

342 Gilbert, John— Died of wounds. Mentioned, 211. 212. KM. 

343 Gilbert, Linus S.— Mentioned, 408. 

344 Gillen, Andrew J.— Wotmded, 242; mentioned. 411. 

Gillen, Thomas — Corporal, see No. 321 ; Disc. .\ug. I:i. iMi:;; rc-eulisicd .luiieii. 1804. 

345 Green, Heurv — Died of wounds, 26.S. 

346 Hamilton. Alva— Mentioiieil, 41. 

347 Harbaugh, Benjamin F.— Mentioneil, 41. 

848 Hatluiwav, Janies E. — Wounded. 242: mentioned, :;sl. 
349 Hill. Geoige S.— Mentioned. :^sl, 409. 
3,-)0 Hist, Henry— Mentioned, 411. 

Hitehings.'.Mmond — Corporal, see No. ;!23. 



46o OFDYCKE TIGERS, 

COMPANY H. — /•;y///.--'rr/ Mrn—Ouitiiiiicl. 

;!.".l Hdllistur, I-Mwurd B.— Died of Wdvinds, iMi. 

.•;.')'i Hullister, William — Mentioned, li.!. 

;!5o Ilotchkitis. Harris B. — Meutioncil. 11. 

;)54 lluutsberger, Amos — Died in scrvi<'(', (in. 

:!.")5 Jones, John— Mi-ntToued, 8;!. 

^^M Jones. Thomas (J. — Died in service. 75. 

;!57 Ke<'k, Diivid — Wounded, 3.')4; mentioned, 881. 

:!5S Kessler, Sam nel— Died in .service. 57. 

;V)!i King. John— Mentioned, 411. 

Krider. David B,— Corporal, see No. 322. 
:;i;(i Likens. Kiehard P.— Killed in l)attle, 211. 

Lindsay, Darius C. — Sergeant, si'e No. :!i;!. 
:'.iil .M( Lane, Edward — Wounded, 242: mentioned, ;!ii4. 
;'.(;2 .Miller, Levi F.— Mentioned, 217. 
:;r,:', Moran, John— Wounded, 242: mentioned. 384. 
:!()! .Morris, Evan G.— Mentioned 147, los. 

:;()."! ^Morrison, Jame,s— Columbus, (). Portrait, ll'.t : niciitioncd, i:;:'., in. 
;!f'iii Mullaney, James— Mentioned, 111. 
:'.(i7 Niner, Frank — Died in service, VM\. 

Ohara, Henry E.— Corporal, see No. 3is. 
.".(iS I'eyeatt. Itobert— Died in service, l",i6, 
3()!t Pl'atl', <ieort;c— Berea, O. Portrait. 442 : mentioned, 355. 
:!7o Putnam, Jolm— Wounded, 242: mi'ntioiied. 411. 

.'^(■rii)ture. Ivlwin D.— Sergeant, sec No, :!10. 

Smith, Charles— Corporal, see No, 311), 
:!71 Stump, (ieorge — Edcnburg, O. Mentioned, 375. 388. 
:!72 Thomas, John (). — Died in .service, ■")7. 
;!73 Todd, Calvin — Died in service, 21i'i, 

374 Tuttle, Joseph— Deceased. Portrait. 24 : mentioned, 24. 374. .".8S. 133. 45t). 
:175 Van Order, Joseph — Absent from .lunc, 18S5. 
:!7tl Vine, John— Mentioned, 384. 
377 Walters, John— Cleveland, O. Mentioned, 411. 
37s Wctmorc, Horace— Mentioned, 411. 

Wliitaker, John H.— First Sergeant, sec No. 3(17. 

Williams, John S.— Sergeant, see No, 311. 
37'.i Wiiiaiis. Jacol)— Deceased. Mentioned, 217, 410. 
.'.so Wotlinden. James AV.— Mentioned, .304. 
:isi Wriglit, Andrew .1. -Transferred to V. S, Navy, 217. 

Young. Henry- Cori'oral. sec No. :!20. 

Salter, lleiiry— ('olore<l uu<ler cook : meiitioni-d. 52. 

COMPANY E. 

Cnpfaiii. 

Calton C. Baugh— Ml. Vernon, O. Portrait, 32; mentioned, 12, 13, 43, (iO, 424. 
Elmer Mo.se.s- Denver, Col. Portraits, 1-5, 282: wounded, 282; M., .S73, 392, 424. i30, 
W,-ildern S. Williams— Pralts Fork, O. Portrait, 356: M., .379, .383, 411. I2f, 137. 440, 4.50. 

First Lit itfiiiaiit. 

Daniel A. Stinger— Blunt. S. Dak, Portrait. 12: ineiitioned. 13. 17ii, 171. I7i;, 177. 2tVJ , 

jiromoted, see Companv CI, 
Hezekiah N, Stcadman— Deceased. Portrait. S2: M., 217. 2i;2, :!o:>, :;90 : Pro., see Co. K. 
Sharon Freiicli— Died at Silver Lake, Kan, SceComimiiy (': M..:'.0'.i, 10|. 111. 1:19. 

Si riiiid Lii iifi iKiiil. 

.\ll)eit P.anie: — l>ie<l .if wiiiiiids. Portrait, S'l: mentioned, 13,59, 122. 123, 127. 

First Sercintnt. 

:;s2 D:iriilsW. Paviie— I'eirv. Iowa, Portrait, 63: M..30:!: Pro. to Second Lieut .see Co. I. 
3S2 Ilenjamin F. '(iardner— Died Oct. 20. 1SS7. Portrait, 391: menti(Uied. :'.99 : i.romoted 

to l'"irsl Lieutenanl. see ('(im|ianv I. 
3M .bilni J. Kimt — Ffe(U>i'icktown. O. Meiilione.l, 111. 

SmjCdntii. 
.3,s5 Carlos \V. l''isln'r--Meul i.me.l. 75. 
3sf, lleiirv \Villour—Die<l of wounds, 17S : portrait. 171. 
:ts7 William V. Nickel-son— Olney, Ills. Mciitione<i. 111. 
:!SS l'"raiicis .M. Brown — Dccease<l. .Menlii>ncd. Ill, 
3S9 ,lames .\. Needs— Malislicl.l, O. Portrait. I2;i: woilii.li'il. l:;.l: M., 111. 121, 110.44(1. 



ROSTER-IXDEX. 461 



COMPANY V..—S,up<t„tf—f:«nt}ini,<i. 

3!)0 John A. Bell— Aslilfy, (). Meiitioncd. II 1. 

391 Samuel Corvviu— Died iu service, (id. 

392 Thomas Sharp— Died at Mt. VeriHiu. (i. Mciiii.nu d, :;'.i|. 

393 Heuiy A.Donaldson — Kansas City. Mn. rnrirait. HIT; in'oniolcd, scr l.icni 

('nn,nv„h. 

394 Bert Hollo way— Mentioned, ^3, los. 

395 Clarkson F. Randolph— Colniuhiis, (>. Mentioned, 111. I3ii. 

396 William S. Strahl—Goodrieli. Kans. Portrait, 371 : mentioned. 3S(i, loT. 

397 Ditekworth Hargraves— Norwnllc, <). i)ortrait, 426; mentioned. 111. 

398 Carsner E. Booker— Wileo.x, Neb, Mentioned, 111. 437. 

399 Hiel M. Danley— Raeine, O. Wonnded, 3.".4 ; i)(iitrait.34(i; mentioned, 411, 13 

400 William Mcfiachev — Itamdeii .Innetion, O. Wonnded, 242 : mentioned. 111. 

401 Conrad Micliael- i>ied .hdv '.i, 1S91, at Martel, O. Mentioned, 411, 440. 

402 E. Priudle Pliil'er— Leavenworth. Kalis. Portrait. 423 : mentioned, 411. 

403 James Carlin — Wonnded. 17'.i. 

404 Abraham W. Hawkins— Montpelier. o. Mmlioiied. I'.m;. 

405 Norman Gibson— Killed in battle, 2si. 

/■.•////>7m/ Mil,. 

406 Anthony. William— Mentioned, 411. 

407 Arnold, George L. — Wounded, 130 : nifiilioncd. Ki'.i. 

408 Baldwin, Jesse— Died in .serviee, 60. 

409 Beemau, Richard — Died in service. Wdiiiulcil und (■.iptincd, 129 
Bell, John A.— Sergeant, see No. 3911. 

Booker, Carsner E.—Coiiioral, see No. :!9s. 
110 Booker, Cnrtis F.— Killed in liattle, 127. 

411 Bradtield, Peter S.— Died of wounds. 216. 

412 Brindley, Henry-Died of wounds: died .liilx H'. l.stii. 
Brown, Franci.sM— Sergeant, see No. 39.s. 

413 Campbell, James K.— Mentioned, 411. 
Carlin, James— Corporal, see No 403. 

414 Case, Ira O.— Mentioned, 196, 376. 

413 Chamberlain, William— Wounded, 212. 

416 Charmau. Henry — Died in service, 31(i. 
Corwiu, Samuel — Sergeant, see No. :'.91. 

417 Countryman, Charles II.— Wounded. VM: discharged. 2S3. 
Danley", Hiel M.— Corporal, see No. :'.9'.i. 

415 Darrow, Addison— Wounded, 242. 

Detrick, <jeorge — Promoted to Hospital Steward, sei' No. 10. 
419 Dillon, Eli H.— Killed by lightning while on picket: mentioned, 'M. ."i2. 

Donaldson, Henry A. — Sergeant and l.iciileiiaiil. see .No. .'i'.i:!. 
inn Dunn, Michael- Mentioned, 63. 

421 Elder, Thoma.s— Mentioned, 217. Iii'.i. 
Fisher. Carlos W. — Sergeant, see No. '■^^i',. 

Gardner, Ben.iainin F. — First Sergeanl and Kieiileiiaut. see No. 3,s:;. 

422 Gassaway, Benton — Mentioned. •">7. 

423 Genster," Martin— Kipton, O. Mentione<l. Ill: ser\-eil in Coiiipany 11. 
Gibson, Norman — Corporal, see No. 40.'). 

424 Guilford, Robert— Died in serviee, 60. 
Hargraves, Duckworth — Corporal, see No. .!'.I7. 
Hawkins, Abraham W.— Cor))oral. see No. ini. 

425 Holdell, Albeit— Died of wounds, 212. 
IIollowa\, Bert— Corporal, see No. :!9I. 

426 Jacobs, Thomas— Died of wounds. 376: woiindcil. :!.')3. 

427 Johnson, Joseph— Killed in battle. 127. 

42S Johnson, Thoijias— Wounded. 212: disehar.yed. :'.76. 

129 Kerr, David M.— Wounded. 13il: discharged. 217. 
Kime. .John J.— First Sergeant, see No. 3s|. 

130 McElheunv. Henrv M.— Mentioned. 196. 

431 MeFarland, John— Wounded, 130: mciitioiii-d. III. 
Mi'(iaehev. William— Coriioral. see N(.. HHi. 

432 McMillan. Thomas— .Mentioned. 391. I.-.7. 

433 McNamar, Richard- Mentioned. -VJ. 

434 Mason. Tarlton—('ardingt(Ui. II. .Mentioned, III. 
43,1 Ma.xwell. Samuel — Mentioned. 217. 

436 Merryhlte, James H —Mentioned. Ill, 
.Michael. Conrad— Corporal, see .No. ml, 

437 Miller. William— Killed in battle. 17s. 119, 
Needs. James A.— Sergeant, see No. 3s9, 
Nickerson, William V. — Sergeant, see No, .'IS/, 

438 Okev. l!eniamin— On detached dniv ;il d;itc o!' m\i>ter oiu . 



462 OFDYCKE TIGERS, 

COMPANY Y.—EiilMed Mm— Continued. 

■i:{9 Olciridyv, Lewis— Died in service, 57. 

I'iiyiJi'. Darius \V.— First Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. Ms-J. 

I'hil'er. 1:. rrindle— CorporaL see No. -102. 

Kanddlpli, clarkson F.-(Jorporal, see No. ?.'.)."). 
4.1(> Randolph, .Joseph F.— Steele, N. Dak. Wounded, i;;(): mentioned. 217, 40!t, 437. 

441 Khoiles, I'ldridge— Died June 5, 1880. at Roseville. (). Mentioned. :!<S"). 

442 Rogers, Samuel— Killed in battle, 287. 

448 Scott, .lames B.—Leasue, W. Va. Wounded, 242. |io:trait, 212 : mentioned. 411. 

444 Sell, Atlam— Died in Rebel prison. Woun<led ami raiiturcd. 127. 

Sharp, Thomas— Sergeant, see No. ;!92. 

44.5 Sheets, David W.— Mentioned, 401. 

44C Shenard, William— Died in service, 147. 

447 Sigler, James— Mentioned, 61. 

448 Simonette, Jacob— Died of wounds, 127. 

449 Singer, .lohn— Mentioned, 01. 

450 Smith, James P. — Died in Rebel prison. Captured in action at Charleston, Tenn.. 

December 27, 1804. 

451 Snvder. Clarion— Transferred to V. K. C, April 1, 1805. 

452 Sti'ahl, Thonnts (i.— Killed in battle, 307; i)ortrait, 2i>2. 
Strahl, William S.— Corporal, see No. 390. 

4,53 Thomiison. Charles— Mentioned, 411. 

554 Tipiiie, John M.— Grovesnor, O. Portrait, 227 : wounded, 2:!0 ; M.. 231, 242, 411. 

455 Trnbe, John— Died in service, 57. 

450 Tucker, Granville- Died in service, 83. 

4.57 Tucker. .Samuel— Stewart, O. Wounded ami <'aiiture(l, 12!*; menlioned. 3s."). 

4.58 Vallandintrham, Georire B.— Valley City. N. Dak. Portrait. :i."i4 : iiieiitioued, :;.s4, 4-".0. 

4.59 Vanhoof, J(din— Kilk-il in battle, 2. s. 

400 Walters. Lewis— Cleveland. O. 

401 Wa'son, William— Died in service, ■)7. 
WilUuir, Henrv— Sergeant, see No. 3sil. 

4(;2 Willour, Lewis— l>ied of W(nnids. Wounded at Chicamauga: died at .'-^levenson. .-Ma. 

403 Wvble, Jacob— Died of wounds, 273; iiortrait, 274. 

401 Woo<lar<l, James— Died Aug. 0. 1,S93. Mentioned, 317, 409; portrait. 111. 

•105 Woodyard, Nathan— Chester Hill, O. Portrait, 383; mentioned, 411, ■i37. 

(Of. llardi'iu, Jordan— Colored nuder-cook. >hMitioned. 52. 

COMPANY F. 

Citjildiii. 

Steen B. Parks— Civstou, Iowa. Portraits, 9. 223.; wouu<le<l, 220; mentioned. 11, 12, 1:5, 
42, 58, 74, 170, 171, 170, 177, 179, 210, 211, 223., 2.s:!. 4.37. 
Charles T. Clark— Columbus, O. Portraits, IS, 44S: mentioned, 301, .375. :W5, :5S7, 389, 
392, 39'., 403, 412, 415, 122, t2t, 125. i:^(l. l;il, 43.2, 140. 411. 140. 4lS. 

FIM LiiiilnKdiL 

David Humphreys— Brooklyn. N. V. Portrait. 42S; mentioueiL 1.3, .58, 74, 122,147,449. 
Charles T. Clark"--Columb\is, (). Mentioned, 107. 177. 217, 301 ; promoted, see al)ove. 
.losiah H. Blackliuru— Latimer, O. Portrait. ;!11; mentioned, 3.m, 373,402,412,421. 
1:10, US; see Company I and Company A. 

S, null I l.iiiltdiiliit. 

Charles T. Clark— Columbus, O. M., l:i, is, 51. 74, 122, 124, 129; ))ronu)ted, see above. 
Alexander H. Postlewait— Orrvilie, O. P., 243, :i,S8; wounded, 242; Pro., .see Co. K. 
HiMiry G. Russell — Lexington, Mo. Wounded. 120; y>ort rail. 1.32; mentioned, 412. 
11':.. 121. 44r,; see .No. I7S. 

Firxl SrnifViil. 

407 Henry N. Penlield—Springlield. Mass. Wo\nided. i:'.l : portrait, 110; mentioned, 211, 

21*7; promoted, si'c Lieutenant Company 1. 

408 Henry G. Russell — Lcxingtmi. Mo. Wounded. 120; p<irtrait, 132; mentioned, 131, 

112. 115, IJl ; promolccl, sec above. 

Si lilnllll.<. 

109 .lacob Jewell— Tribnne. Kans Wounded, i:;i.'js7; P., 73. 25->. 279; >L, 220, 231, 412 



lll'.l .laCOl) .leVVlMl IHIIUIU-. 1N,11I.> H ,,1IIM1, ,1, 1.IJ._'/, I., (.,._...._(... .,1., __,., .1^>1, ,1X-. 

170 .Jeremiah S. Stinger- I'ipton. Mo. Woninlcd. 2 12 : P.,7l,2t5; M., 104, 412, 430, 437. 

471 James R. Hrown— ,\inl)i'r, Kans. Mt'iilioucd. .52. 

472 Davi<l K Blvst(MU — Itladensburg, O. Wounded, 130, 35:1; j.ortrait, 99 ; mentioned, 

129, 1:10, 217, 2:'.l ; Pro., see Second Lieiil. ( omiiany C and First Lieut. Company A. 
47:5 John Warinan Giimbier. O. Portrait, 111; nientioned, 129. 180, 203. 412. 

474 .lohn R. Chirk — Wounded. i:;o ; portrait, 125 ; mentioned, 412. 

475 Alexander H. Postlewait— OrrvilU', O. Woumied, 242; portraits, 243, 388; promoted, 
■ >..,. 1.,..-.. 



;>02; see above. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 463 

COMPANY V.—Coiiliintrd. 
Corporal. 

■176 Johnson Sims— Martiii.sburg. (). Wounded, i:W: portrait, 122; mcntioued, .'iDO. 

477 John L. Beatty— Died July 2S, LSS!. Wounded. 13i»: portrait, 143; mentioned, 2(>1. 

478 William H. Reagh— Uied of wounds. Wounded, 127; portrait, 142. 

479 Nathan R. Hall— Critlith, Ind. Tort rait, 3H0 ; mentioned, 412, 440. 

480 Henry Whiinier— Hume. Ills. Wounded, 179; portrait, 175; M., 378, ;m). 412. 

481 James Willemin— BlooniinKdale. O. Wounded. 3-54; P., 349; M., 179, 212, 283. 288, 4r> 

482 John Getz— Frederiektown. (>. Wounded, l:!0. 212; portraits, 7.5, 24(i; M., 412, 430 

483 William Beekholt— Gambler, O. Portrait. 4(H!: mentioned, 376, 412. 

484 William H Beenv— Richwood. O. Wounded, 1:W, ISO; portrait, 301 ; M., 179, 41-' 
48.5 William B. Scott— Bladenshur.Lr, <). Wounded, 282; portrait, 271 : .M., .374, 412. 

486 Adam L. Forney— Mentinne<l. :'.77, 412. 

487 William Porter— liied of wounds. Wounded, 131 : mortal wound. 242. 

E III Med Men. 

Beatty, John L.— Corporal, see No. 477. 

Beenv, William H. — Corporal, see No. 484. 

Beekholt, William— CorjHjnil. see No. 483. 

Blvstoue. Daviil K. — Serjieant and Lieutenant, .see No. 472. 
4SS Broadlielt, Gershon— Mentioned. 217. 
499 Brower. Fre<leriek— Kilk<l in battle. Portrait, 1(57; mentioned. 17.s. 179. 

Brown. James R. — Serj^'eant. see No. 481. 

490 Cattrell. Leander— Columbus, (). Portraits, 398, 399; mentioned. 63. 

491 Chapman, George W.— Burton City, O. Portrait, 395 ; mentioned. 405. 412. 
Clark, John R. — Sergeant. seeNo. 474. 

492 Clere, Claude — Mentioned, 147, 409, served in Company II. 

493 (^)oper, Daniel C. — portrait. 422; mentioned. 412. 

494 Denny, James F. — Bladensburg, (). Portrait. 68; menticuu'd. 196. 

495 Ducbman. .Vugustus — Mentioned, 75. 
•196 Dulybou, Mathew— Mentioned, 83, 408. 

497 Fawcett. Thompson J. — Died in serviee, 52. 

498 Fleming, James C.— Portrait, ti7; mentioned. 412. 

499 Foltz, Eli J.— Died in serviee, 63. 
Forney. Adam L. — Corporal, see No. 486. 
(ietz, John — Corporal, see No. 482. 

500 Graham. Henry — St. Louis, Mo. Wounded. 211: jiortrait. 211 : mentioned. 412. 

501 Grime, Joseph— Wounded, 130; served in Comiiany H. 

502 Harbve. Charles — Mentioned, 57. 
Hall, 'Nathan R.— Corporal, see No. 479. 

503 Hall. Thomas J.— Kille<l in battle, 127; portrait, 1:11. 

504 Harris. Manoah P.— Wounded, 242; mentioned, 2t)0. 401. 

.505 Hess, David K.— Bladensburg, O. Transferre<i to 1st Ohi(. Sliari)shooters. 

506 Jennings. William T.— Killed in battle, 127. 

Jewell. Jacob- .Sergeant, see No. 469. 

.507 Keys, Jose](h H.—Dodd City. Ark. Wounded. 212; portrait, 248; M. 179, 212, 401. 412. 

508 Kime, Franklin — Died of wounds, 127. 

.509 Kline, George— Mentioned. 388. 

510 Lawyer. Michael W.— Mentioned, 3,ss. 

511 Ling. Conrad— Killed in battle. 210. 

512 Lowrv. William — Mentioned, 412. 

513 McMerrill. John— Big Prairie. O. Mentioned, 217. 

514 MeNnvland, John— SlarMnsville, Ind. Portrait, 3,si>: mentioned, 373, 412. 

515 McNurland. William— Martinsville, Ind. Portrait, 76; mentioned, 76,412. 
51G McNatt, Isaac— Mentioned. 3Ss. 

517 ihilov. William— Died in serviee. Mentione<I. .58. 60. 

518 Ma.\<in. Alfred- Wounded. 130. 230; mentioned, 242. ;117, Ids. 

519 Meek. William A.— Dietl of wounds, 127; portrait, 94. 

520 Melick. Jerterson—Mt. Vernon. O. Wounded and captured. 211 ; P., 429; M.,;482,412: 

521 Muck, .\aron — Mentioned. 57. 

522 Murpbv. Marion T.— Killed in battle. Mentioned. 226.242. 

bZi Newcoi'iicr, Christian— Fori Wavne, Ind. Wounded, 179. 273; P., 169; M., 213, 394. 
524 N(ntb. John— Tipton. (). Wounded. 2^2; portrait 249; mentioned, 131, 378, 407. 

Peiitii'ld Henrv N.— First Sergeant ami Lieutenant, see No. I()7. 
.52.5 Ptister. Mathias— .Mentioned, 147. 

Porter. William — Corporal, see No. 4S7. 

Postlewait. .\le.K. 11. — Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. 475. 
.526 Ransom, William IL— Wouudfd, 242. 
.527 Rea,i;li. John P.— Died Ajiril 26, 1879. Portrait. 191 ; mentioned, 412. 

Reagh. William IL— Corjioral. see No. 478. 
.528 Ross. Flmos .N.— Condit. O. Portrait, 194; mentioned, 412. 

Russell. Henrv G.— First Sergeant and Lieutenant, see No. 468. 
.529 Sailor. .'Samuel— Killed on ])icket. 301. 



464 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



COMPANY V.—EiilMtd Men.— Continual. 

.530 Saiittor, .liicoli— Wfston. O. Wounded, 130: portrait, 107 ; M., J12; .served in Co. H. 

031 Schueidur, Henry — Served in Company H; discharged January 11, 18(>.'). 

032 Scott, Jame.s Foster— Sarcoxie, Mo. Portrait, 177; mentioned) -iS, 180, 3!)0, 412. 
Scott, William B.— Corporal, see No. 4S.'i. 

533 Searight, Clay C. — Seattle, Wash. Portrait, 3.')7; mentioned, 3.")7, 412. 

534 Seignuer, George — Mentioned, 75; erved in Com])any H. 

535 Shoults, Orlando — Wounded, 211; mentioned, o7',t. 

536 Sigler, Philip M.— Mentioned, 410. 
Sims, Johnson — Corporal, see No. 47(). 

537 Sperry, Joseph H.— Died in service. Mentione<l, .'<l, 147. 

538 Stewart, John A. — Died in service, •■)7. 
Stinger. Jeremiah S. — Sergeant, .see No. 470. 

53'.) Sullivan, Michael — Mentioned, 412. 

340 Thompson, James — Died in service, GO. 

541 Tipton, Kliiah J.— .\ll)anv, Mo. Mentioned, 412. 

Trimble. Thomas— Promoted to Com. Sergt., see No. 8; M., 192. 17.i. 2t;2: P., 102. 
.542 Tuttle, .\mos— Died in service, 21(). 
543 Tuttle, Carey— Wounded, i:iO; mentioned, 374, :^85, 412. 
.544 Vaiighu. IJen.iamiu— Died in Rebel prison. Captured, 211 ; mentioned, 382. 

Warinan. John — Color-Sergeant, see No. 473. 

Wbitmer, Henry— Corporal, see No. 480. 
54.1 Wilio.x. Edward— Died in service, GO. 

Willemin, James— Corporal, see No. 481. 
54G Williams. David— Missing Nov. 4, 18G4, at Pulasl<i, Tenn. 
547 Williams, Josei>]i — Mentioned. 4 3, 412. 
.548 Woodruir. Marion- Itien. O. Mi ntioned. 147, 400. 

.549 Yoder, Alexander— Magnetic .springs, O. Wounded. 130; portrait, lis . M., 112. 
.550 Y'oder, Kli— Magnetic Springs, O. Mentioned, 412; portrait, 442. 
.5.51 Yoder. Jacob— Mentioned. :!72. 412. 

COMPANY (i. 

Captain. 

William C. Hunts— Died Jan. 17, 1874, at Cleveland, O. Portraits, 13, 149; M., 21G, 128. 
Daniel A. Stinger— Blunt, S. Dak. Portrait, 12; mentioned, 262. 375, 381. 3.87. 404, 412, 
420, and see Lieutenant Comiiany E. ^ 

Fhvf I.icutrnant. 

William W. Cushing— Springfield, Mo. Mentioned, 14, 122, 17G 2G2; Pro., .see Co. I. 
RoUin D. Barnes— Portrait, 321; mentioned. 217, 261. 262: and see Company B. 
Henry A. DonakLson— Kansas City, Mo. Wounded, 282; ])ortrait. 217; mentiinieil, 
:;(i:!. 379. 412, 424, and see Comi)any H and Company E. 

SrcoiirJ Limtenant. 

.Martin V. B. Kinu— < 'aniield. O. Wounded, 128; jiortraits, 1!). 0.5: nuiUioiied, 14. 122 
12:;. 120, 216, 424. 126, 42S. 441), 441, 440. 

Firi^t Sergeant. 

5,52 Justus M. Silliman— N'ineland, N. J. Portrait, 43; mentioned, .57. 

.5.53 Charles C. Chapman-Poland, O. Portrait, 104; mentioned, 124,217: Pro., see Co. I. 

.5.54 Charles C. Coats-Bradford, Pa. Mentioned, 3'.t9. 

.5.55 Joseiih K. Pero— Meiit ioned. 112. 

Siriieants. 

,556 Robert W. Thomp.son— Cleveland, O. Color Sergeant ; 1'., 107: M., IJ:;. 102. 120, l:il. 

.5.57 James Logan— Cleveland, O. Portrait, 212: mentioned, 412. 

.5.58 Andrew J. Christy— Mentioned, 216. 

,5.59 Sen.seny J. Strealy— Yonugstown, O. I'ortrait, 50; mentioneil, 412, 424. 

.560 John s'imiison—Dieil at Cleveland, O Wonndc^d, 211 ; mentioned, 177, 2i).s. 112. 

.561 James M. Kevnolds—liel Ayr, .Md. Wounded, 212: portrait, 251): mentiinied, 412. 

562 Alexander \',-in (ionler— New Castle, Pa. \\'ouii(lcd. 2i2: iiirntioned. 12s. 112. 

(■„ri,„rals. 

.'.(■,;; William .McCittigaii- Killc^d in battle. 126 iColoi- Corporal . 

.5(i4 .lohn Irwiii — Kille<l in bai.Ile. 2S1, 

.565 Thomas K. Hanna — i)eceaserl. Wounded. :'.5 I ; mentioned. 112. 

5(it; Michael Strausbaugli — Nh'Utioned. 112. 

.5C,7 David Sli.-iirer—Hnnin, Ills. Mentioned. 112. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 465 



( '< »MPAKY (i.—Corporals—Ciuiliinud. 

.■)G8 i;i<-liar(l .1 Ilamls— Mciuioiied. 4TJ. 

of>9 Ricbanl M. KllioII — Dicil in service, I'.Ml. 

•')70 .Tohii lleiiier— I>ie<l 111' woniids. :;0'_'. 

.■)71 Ailains, Henry II.--N'e\v York. N. Y. Pdrlraits. ^S, :!0<.):'e!uitiire(l. ;;ii!>: inciitioiiiMl I:; 

20 ■. :r)',i. ;;s(i. 4-11, 111 -lis. 
.j72 Adams, .lolin— Meiitioiieil. ;".'.M. 

573 BadeiiborrDiiiili. .Inhii— Died in service. 21. 

574 Barbour. John — Dieil at Youn.iistown. in l.^ti:!. Menlioned. CI. 
.575 Ba.ssett, Adam — Died in service, ti:;. 

57G Ben.son. Williiim— Mentioned, :!S2. ^12. 

.577 Berry, Cliristoidier — Mentioned. -112. 

.57S Breece. Tobias ('.—West Berlin. (). Portrait. I2;i: mentioneil :',!i| 121 

.57!t Bryant. .losepli— Killed in bailie. ;;5:!. 

rh'ajunan. ('. (".—First Serjeant. Lieviteiiant and ra|itain. sec Xo. .Vi:;. 

Christy, Andrew J.— Serfreaiit, see Xo. -'mS. 

580 Clodell, Charles— Olmstead Falls. O. Mentioned. 112. 
Coats, C. C.— First Ser.treant. see Xo. .5(i4. 

581 Criss. \\'il]iam— Last report, on detache<l diilv as llailroad Fnerinecr. 
.582 Da'ey. .lolin- Pittsbnrf;-, I'a. Portnii1,2Cd ; ni'cnlii'ne<l. :;72 1(12 

;?,s:! Doiievan. .lohn — ^lentioned. 412. 

KUiott. Richard M.— ( 'orjioral. .see Xo. •57'.i. 
.584 Feriinson. Dryden— Died of wound, 27:1. 

.585 Fitch, Harrison H.— Coi>ai>a, O. Portrait, 121: mentioned. 112. 
58() Fonst. John P.— Died in service. 5!). 
.587 Garety, .Joseph— Cleveland. (). Mentioned. 412. 
.588 Ciriffin, Morris— Cleveland, O. T\irtrait. :!9 : mcnl i(nied. ii:l. 
5.S!1 Grime. Ferdinand Jlentioned. -lO'.i. 
.5'.i(» Hall. Traverse A —Mentioned. 112. 

Hands. Richard J. — Corporal, see Xo. 5(1.S. 

Hanna. Thomas R— Cor])oral. see Xo. (1(15. 
.51)1 Hartman. Uilliam — Mentioned, 412. 

Heinc-r. .lobn—Corporal. see Xo. .5^0. 
.592 Hillabiddle. Daniel W.— Mentioned, :18S. 
.59;! Hmlson. I'',dwin— Mentioned. 412. 
.594 Hunkler, .lohn— Mentioned. .S:!. 

Irwin. John— ('orporal, .see Xo. .5(il. 
,595 Jones. Thomas— Died in service, (m. ., 

.59fi Kelley. Jaines- Mentioned, ;!s,S. 

597 Kiiapp, Charles H.—Berea. (). Wounded. 242 : mentioned. :w2. Ki'.'. 

598 Krocker. Henry— Died in rebel prison. Caplni-ed al ( hie.-imanjra. 

599 Lambody. Victor— Died in .service. CiO. 
liOgan. James— .'Jerseant. see Xo .557. 

t'lOO Lvons David— Mentioned. 412. 

tiOl Major. William O.—Xcw Middletown, <X Wonndeil. 2i;s : mentioned. 112. 

()02 McGhee. Andrew J.— Last report in hospital at Xashville. 

]SIc(.iitti,i;iiii. William— Color Corporal : .see Xo. 5(i::. 
CiO:; 'Mead. Daniel— Mentione<l. 412. 
(i04 Middleton.. Henry J— Died of wounds. 127. 
(Ky Miller. Frank- Died in service, s:!. 

tiOCi JHsIer. Anton— Bellcvne. O. .<erve<l in Compaiix' H: meiilioiicd. 112: portrait, 2('i 
()07 Xichols. Edward- Mentir)ned. "~t\ 
i;OS O.sborn. Charles— At Camp Butler. Tils., when last rejiortcd. 

Pero. Josei>li E. — I'irst Serceant. see Xo. .".55, 
009 Randall. Alexamler— Mentioned. 412. 
(ilO Randall. Charles B.— Wounded. 2S2, 

(ill Riebaiilson. Georye H. — Dicii Marcli 12. issCi, at Philadelphia. Pa.: mentioned. 112. 
612 Robson. David — Mentioned. 412. 
(>I8 Rotterdam. John (i. — Mentione<l. ^•.n^,. 
(il4 Schelhass. Heiirv— Mentioned, s;!. 
(115 Seiler, Alois— Killed in battle. 127. 

ShafFer. David— Corporal, .see Xo. .5('>7. 
(■> (i Shav. Daniel-Menlione<l. 412. 
(117 Shay. James— >h'ntioned. :!.s><. 
i;i8 .Shenetield. (Teor.u:e— Died of wonnd.s, :M1. 

Silliman, Justus M. — First Serfreant. see No. .5.52. 

Simjison. John — Scrireant, see Xo. 5'0. 
019 Smith. John— Menticuied 412. 

(120 Snyder, Peter— Last report in hosv>ital at LouNviPe, Ky. 
t)21 Sommer. Johii— Killed in battle. 127. 

622 Spiekler. I.ewis-Pine Run. Mich. Meiilio n d. : 7s. :{,s9, J12 : ] ortrait. 4S8. 
62;^ Stephens. Isaac S— Mentioned. 147. 



466 OFDYCKE TIGERS, 

COMPANY G.— Knlhtrd Men— Continued. 

624 Stoker, George S.— Mentioned, 412. 
Straushauffh, M.— Corporal, see No. .Vifi. 

625 Strealy. .lohn C.— Oieil of wounds. Mentioned, 127, 129; portrait, i:!0. 
Strealy, Scnscny .1.— Sergeant, see No. 559. 

626 Tannvlian, James— Mentioned, 412. 

Thompson, Robert \V.— Cleveland, O. Color Sergeant, see No. 556. 
Van Gorder, Ale.x— Sergeant, see No. 5G2. 

627 Wade, James— Mentioned, Il2. 

628 Walker, Joseph A —Mentioned, 61. 

629 Withers, Joseph— Tslentioiied. 217. 
QUO Young, Calvin— Mentioned, 412. 

Henry Richards — Youngstown, O. Colored nnder-eook : mentioned, 412. 

COMPANY H. 

Cuiitnin. 

Anllioiiv Vallendar— Peceased. Portrait. 26: wounded, 2.'!0: mentioned. 14, 74, :!85, 
:','il. 411."), 417, 424, 426; 

Fint LirutriKuil. 

Kilev M. Merrill-Mentioned, 11, fi7. 

Freeuum Thoman— Denver, Col. Wounded, 2<s2 : portraits, 59, 295 ; mentioned, 217, 

;179, :W0, :!92 ; ])ronioted, see Company i), also Company A. 
Darius W. Payne— Perry, la. Wouudetl, :«i : portrait, 6:i ; mentioned, 3^9, 392, 405, 

412. 41.S, see Company I and Company V.. 

S(eoii'l JJndrmmt. 

Francis Hendry— Madison, O. Portrait, 22; mentioned, 14, 52. 

Charles l.eimbaeh— Died, Nov. 12, 1.^82. Wounded, ',^82; portrait, 21.s; mentioned, 

213, :;02; i)romoted. see Company D, al.so Company H. 
Henry A. Donaldson— Kansas City,' Mo. Wounded, 272. 282 : portrait, 217: see Com- 

pimv E and Companv G. 
Henry GlenvilU — \Voun<led. 12s ; i.ortrait, 105 ; mentioned, 5:1, 382 ; see Company B. 

Firat Si i-jininl. 

631 Henry Glenville— Promoted, see above and Comiiaiiy H. 

632 Charles MuUer— Wounded, 354 ; discharged, 388. 

633 Henry Hoss— Mentioned, 412. 

Sergeant. 

631 Charles I.eimbacli— Wounded, 282 ! portrait, 213 : promoted, see above. 

635 Kos'.vell \\el)ster— Lenox, O. Portrait, 51 ; mentiont'd. 1 17. 

636 William Sioughton- Mentioned, 147. 

637 l.erov Thompson- Mentioned. 412, 413. 

638 John' Dullv--St. Paul, Minn. Mentioned, 113, l;:7. 

639 John P.randan— OS. II., Sandusky, (). Mentioned, 113. 

640 Noah 11 Willev — Mentioned, 21:;, li:'.. 

611 Jolin A. Morrow— Wounded, 179 and diseharged, 303. 

Ciiriioriil. 

642 George Cunningham- Columbus. O. Discharged Dec. 23, 1862. account typhoid fever. 

643 Hrookens H. Prittain— Died in rebel prison. Mentioned, 211, 212. 

644 Samuel .b)slin -Mentioned, 413. 

645 I'"ave1le 1 larling— Chardon. O. Mentioned, li:;. 

6-16 Wi'lliain Mason — .\kron. O. I'ort rait, 304 ; mentioned, 413, 121. 

647 Khiiiehard Siillleiseh — Mentioned, 413. 

64<s Anslem .MeverMentioned, 413. 

649 John Ileiison -Piltslield, O. Wounded, 2S'J ; mentioned, 406, 413, 424, 44»). 

650 John Weir— Mentioned, :!.ss. 

651 William K. He<lell — Killed in baltle, 127. 
052 Alplia Large— Killed in battle. :'.53. 

Kiilislnl Men. 

6.53 Allanll. Theodore— Mentioned, 4i:i. 

OTA Ames, Oscar ('. — WoiindiMl, 212 : mentioned, 413. 

655 Anderson, Samuel W.— .Mentioned. .52. 

656 Archer, James K.— Kansas City, Mo.— Portrait, 201 : mentioned, 394, 4.>0, 43/, 444. 
6.57 Astle, William — Mentioned. 147, lO.s. 

65K Harry, John— Died of wounds, 127. 



ROSTER-INDEX. 467 

(■(iMI'ANV \\.— KiiliMn\ Mn,.—C<>iiliiiiie'l. 

H;V.) Bt'ckwith, George K.— Died of wounds, 210. 

Bedell, William R. — Corporiil, see No. (m1. 
WiO Berner, .laeob — Died in service, oCi. 
6(51 Bireh, Ciissixis C— Erie, Ta.— Wounded, isd; mentioned, :{'.M. 

Brandan. Joliii— Sergeant, see No. (i:{i|. 

Brittain, B. H.— Corporal, see No. lit:!. 
602 Broiisoii. Daniel— Meutioneil, 217. 
e63 Bugbv, Daniel D.— Mentioned. 1!h;, 

664 Burr, .John F.— Mentioned. U7, t')s, 

665 Caldwell. Warren M.— Mentioned, :!.s.s. 

666 Collister, .lack— Died of wounds. 127. 
Clere, Claude— Mustered in 1" : see No. 1 2. 

667 C'oughlin. .lames — Left Company in May, isii'i, u iihont leave. 
Cunningham, George— Corporal', see No. Iil2. 

668 Dahlem. .John— Meutioneil. MSS. 

669 Dailey. \^'illiam — Pratt. Kans. Portrait, 2il(l ; wounded. 2n2 ; mentioni'il. :!s.\. :j;u : by 

mistake called .lohn Dailey on p. 2.s2. 
Darling. Favette —Corporal, see No. (il,"i. 

670 De<iratf, William— Mentioned. 217. 

671 Diamond. Patrick— Died at Kdenbnrgli. (). Lift imiipauy in May. isti.'). 

672 Dodge, .James R —Died in service, 'i'.!. 
67:! Dolan. William— .\l)sent from .lidy, Isii.""). 

Durt'y, John— Sergeant, sei' No. iV.'.s. 
67-1 Jickerman. Charles— Mentioned. Ii:!. 
67o Elliott, Michael— Killed in battle, 21S. 

676 Esch, l'"ranz— Died in service, :!7ti. 

677 Fost, Henry — Wounded and captured. 12'.i ; nicnl ioiird. 121. 

678 Glanzer, .Jacob- Missing in battle. :'il'.i. 

679 Gleieh, George— No record after .Mav '.i, IsfW. 

680 Gleieh, Valentine— Cleveland. (). Mentioned. Il:i. 
Gleuville, Henry — First Sergeant and Lieutenani, see No. 6:11. 

681 Gooilwill. Davi.i B.— Killed in battle. 2S1. 

682 Groebe, Ernst— In hospital .June. IsiW: last reiiori. 
Grime. .Joseph — Mtistered in F: see No. ~>'.)\. 

683 Harvey, Charles— Mentioned. 61. 

684 Harvey, Craius S — Dieil in service. I'.ni : jiortrait. '<i). 
Henson. .John — ("orporal. see No. (il'.i. 

685 Howe. .Jame.s — Last record on fnrlouL:h .lulv 27, iMij. 

686 Howell, William— Killed in battle. 127. 

687 Jackson, James H. — JCrie. I'a. Captured, :!.")l : nicnii(,nc(l. :iss. 

688 Jones, Herman V. — Mentioned. 11:!. 
Jo.slin, Samuel — Corporal, see No. (ill. 

689 King, Jacob— Died of wounds, :iO:;. 

690 Kuapp. Peter— Wounded and capttired. 12^: m'uiicnuMl, I2,i. :;'.M. 

691 Krnm, I<"rancis S. — Died in service, l'."'.. 
Lar.ge, Alpha — Corporal, see No. 6'i2. 

692 I^aureuce, Charles W.— J^eft Comiiany in May. lsi'i."i. 
Leimbach, Charles — Sergeant and Liculenanl. see No. ii.')2. 

t'>93 Lowmau, James L.— Jvilled in battle, 2.s|. 

Mason. William— Corporal, see No. CKi. 
694 Meno. Frederick— Mentioned. .'>2. 

Meyer. Anselm— Corporiil. see No. 619. 

Misler. Anton- Mustered in (f : see No. 6(16: porlrait. 201;. 
t")9.") Morris. William— Wounded. i:!0; transferred to 2::d o. V, 1. 

Morrow, John A.— Sergeant, see No. 611. 

Midler. Chiirles— First ScM'geant. see No. 6:i2. 
69ti ^Iuri)hv. Patrick— Mentioiied. :!Hi. 

697 Nauek. Frederick— r. S. .M. H. Davton. O. Port rait, s 1 : wounded. 2.s2 ; M. lb!, 1I6 

698 Osborn. Thomas S.— Missing November. JsiU. at .\tlicns, Tenn. 

699 PHen.ger. Valentine— -Mentioned. :i9t. 

700 Phillips. Martin V.— Mentioned, 4L 

7iil Pierson, James— Died in rebel prison. 211. 212. 

702 Piel.sch, .\ugust— Wounded. 212; meutioneil. Ii:i. 

703 Putnam. Geortre— Died in service. 41)2. 

704 Quirk, Michael— Died in service, tl:!. 116. 

705 Rath, Albert -Left in Mav, lsii.">. 

706 Rawdou. William H.— Deceased. Mcntionecl. II::, IJs. ICI. |:!i; : portrait. i:;s. 

707 Reed, (Uiarles— Wounded, 12.S ; discharged, :l(i2. 

708 Riehter, Gottfried— Left in .Mav, 1S6.-|. 

709 Ritgart, Peter— Missing in liattle of Resaca. 

710 I^iod, Favette C— Mentioned. 147. 
Ross, Henry— First Seriicant, sec No. 6:!::. 

Sautter, Jacob— Weston, I). Mustered in F, sec No. .'kIO; p., Iii7; wounded. l:;ii: M.. 112. 



468 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 



COMPANY \\.— Kii\hU(l )f( ,i—(j,iiti,iiir<l. 

711 Schel<len, Lewis — Mentioned. '-'17. 

712 Hchener, Henry — Mentioned, ;iss. 

713 Sehnjit/, Xieholas — Died in Andersonville prison, :il(i. 
Selineider, Henr^--.^[nstered in F, see No. ."):)1. 

71 1 Schnltz. Ciottlieb— Killed in battle, 2t<l. 

Seiler, Aloi.s.— Killed in battle, 127. Mnstered in G, see No. tV2'\ 
715 Seyfert, George — Mentioned. 413. 
710 Sliellhorn, .Joseph— Left in May, isr.."). 

Sei.anuer. George — Mustered in F, see No. 534. 

Siilfleiscl), R.— (orporal. see No. (i47. 

717 Silvertliorn, Alva— Mentioned, ti:!. 

718 Smith, Merriek (J.— t'ambridgeboro. Pa. >rentioned. II:;. 
Sommer, .John— Killed in battle, V^l. Mustereil in (i. see Nn. (i:;i. 

719 Stewart, George— Mentioned, ill. 

720 Stewart, Robert— Left in May, lSii5. 

721 Stolliker, Lester C— Deceased. Mentioned, 413, 133. 
Stonghton, William — Sergeant, see No. ()36. 

722 Snm'nierby, William— Mentioned, 3S8. 
72.3 Tbiele, Henry— Died in service, 83. 

Thompson, Leroy — Sergeant, sec No. (533. 

724 Thompson, Malcolm — Mentioned, .54, 63. 

725 Wagner, Frederick — Discharged from hosi)ital Ai.ril. ]sr,:,. 
72() Waters, Lucius W.— Lenox, O. Mentioned, :>sn : iiiirtrMii. 1 Id. 

Webster, Rosswell— Sergeant, see No. 1135. 

727 Weddle, Conrad — Mentioned, 381. 
Weir, John — Corjioral, .see Xo. (i.5(). 

728 Weller, .John — Died in service, 216. 
72'.> Wlieeler. Sevmo\ir O. — Mentiinied, 388. 

Willey, Noah H.- Sergeant, see No (540. 

730 Wilkinson, Thomas — Died iji service, 10(). 

731 Williams, Charles— Killed in battle, 281 

732 Williams, George — Died December 2, l.s()5. 

733 Williiims, .John — Died of ^vonnds, 127. 

734 Wilson. Thomas— Mentioned. 44. 

735 \\'inrigbt, William — Missing November 7, 18i'i4. 
73i> Wolf, Frederick— Mentioned, 413. 

737 Zeller. Peter- Mentioned. IK). ^ 

(OMP.V.W 1. 

Cdjifdiii. 

AijnilaCoonrod— Mentioned. 147, 17(i. 2(11. 

William W. <'nshing — Sjjrinijlield. Mo. Mentif)ned, 202, 3h(i, 387 and see (■omi)anv G. 

<'luirles('. Cbaiiman— Poland. O. Portrait, 404: M.. 3!)ii, 40'J. 413.424; see below. " 

FiM l.ii nil II, tut. 

Horace Welch — Portrait, l-">0. Mentioned, 147, 21(1. 

Nyrum Phillips— Siou.x Falls, S. D. I'ortrait, SI ; M.. 217. 301 ; see Field and Stall'. 
Charles (". Chapman— Poland. (). Wounded, 3.S2; mentioned. 202, 30!t.3!)'.» ; see below. 
Benjamin F. Gardner— Died at Mt. Vernon O. P.. 3111 : M., WW. 413. 4:!2 : see ('o. E. 

SiCDIIlI I.illlll IKIIll. . 

Seabnry A. Smith— Killed in battle. P.. 2 i:'. : M., I 17, 170, 20s, 435; see Fieldaml Start'. 
Charles (■. Chapman — Poland, O. Promoted, see above and also Companv G. 
Ileury N. Penlield— SpringliehL Ma.ss P.. 110; M.. 217. 4:i7. I4ii ; .•^ee Company F. 
Josii\ii H. lilackbnrn— Latimer, O. Pro., 3.55; see Comiiaiiy F and also Company A. 
Darius W. I'ayiu — Perry, Iowa. Wounded, 3.5;i ; portrait, 03; mentioned, 205, ".303, 
:«I2 : seeCiiinpany II and Company K. 

First .SV,;/MI///. 

73S James H. Hanson— Huckhannan. W. \'a. Captnri'd. 211: |i(irir,nt. 20'. i : mentioned. 

212, :W2, M'.tl, 424, 4;i0, 
7:!".l Francis Cassil— Died .lanuary —, 1.S7S. .Mentioned. Ii:l. 121; portrait. i:>"i. 

Sin/anit. 

740 John W. Stouer— Garrett. Ind. Mentione<l. II ;. 

741 Reubin M. Steele— Died December Ki. ISOO. Wdiunled. 212 ; portrait, lil5: mentioned. 

171, 24:!, 403, 41:!. 41'.l. 121. |:.7. 

712 Richard P.i.essl.-r— Mentioned. II:!. 



R OS TER- IXDKX. 469 



74>; Tlioiiias liiinvll— Dcci'iisimI. .MciiliciiR'U. Il;i. 

74-1 S(|nirc ('. Kdwiinls— KilU'd in l>;ilUc. JM . 

74.'> William <;. Woiiiicr— Killi^d in liattlo. JSl. I'ortrail. ■>'.\ 

711! Isaiali I'.cU — Latlv. O. MiMilioncd. :'.:M. 



■n\. 



747 William Curl. in— Died al N"a|)i)lc(ni. O. Mciilionrd. II::. 

74S ^imon 1'. Primmer — Menlioned, Hi. 

74!t Goorgi' Rath — DtH^easetl, Mi'nlioncd. 11 1. 

750 Charles Wetz— Dayton, O. I'drtrait, :!sn. 

751 Henry Phillips — Alliens. O Porlrait, :i7r> ; inenliunt'd. 11:1. 
75i! William Caughev—Wotinded, ■-! : monlionert. 41M. 

Ausu-^tns Jaeohs— See K. (i. .Taeoby. Xii. Ml :. Menlioued. 11::. 

75;! William Dunlcer—(ireenviile. <). F'urlrail. ;;i/: wonnded. ;5I; mmlinned. ■_'::n. 

754 Francis M. Gerloek— Killed in battle. 2:i>. 

755 Janws W. Hair — Wounded. ■_'51 : mentioni'd. :!SS. 

7511 Elijah Kessler—Ivirlnnond, In<l. .Mentioned, ;s'.l4. IHl. 

757 William Duncan — Killiiick. < >. Portraits, ;;j(i. 4IIU : mentioned. Ii:'.. IJI. 41'.'. 

i:iilhi,,i M,„. 

7.5,s .\laliani;li. Cliarle: — Died in >ei\ ice. :10:;. 

75'.) Hahcock, Thomas Z.—Kort Wavne. Ind. Menli.nicd. 41 : ; |.onraii. i::i. 

7(iO Baker. .lohn— Mentioned, 41:!. ' 

7ril Ballin.ifer, .louathaii — Mentioned. 4i::. 

Barrett, Thomas — Sergeant, >ee_No. 7i:i. 

Bell, Isaiah — .^er.i^eant, see Xo. 7ir>. 
7li2 Beiitly. Martin— Deceased. .Mentioned, :;s,s. 
7(i:! Blair.' Peter .s.— Died in service, liHi 
7(il Bohu, ,lohn — Wounded, 2A'2; mentioned, :W4. 
705 Brooks, .Taeoli— Died in rebel i-riscui, 211. 'Jl.'. 
7('>G Brown, George — Defiance, O. Mentioned. ;!',I4 ; portiait, i !'l. 
7i)7 Brown, .loseph M' — Bruiiersbnrg, O. .Mi'ntioncd. Ibl. 
7()8 Butler, John— Died in service. 'Jhi, 
"ti'.l Cassady, Thomas — Died of wounds, i'lii. 

Cassil, Francis — Fir'^t .Sergeanl, see Xo. 7:'>'.». 

Caughey, William— Corporal, see Xo. 7.VJ. 

770 Cay, David— Mentioned, ;;.'<s. 

771 Close, ,l(>hn—MeiUioiied, 402. 
Corbiii, William — Corporal, see Xo. 717. 

772 Couch, Andrew .1, — Wouinled, ;;54 : menlioni'd. 40::. Ii:l. 
77.H Cramer, George — Died of wounds, js.'. 

774 Curtis, Aurelius — Mentioned, 41:!, 

775 Dalev, Klden B,— Elvria, O. See Kldeii Poller, w.iniidc<l, .MJ : P.. SC. ; M.. 41::, 4J4, 
770 Davidson, William W,— F. Akron Station, O. Poilrait. :ii)2 ; mentioned, li::, 121. 

777 Davis, Charles F.— Mentioned. 407. 

778 Davis, Thoina,s— Wounded, 242, 

77',» Donelv, Hugh— Died December is, l.sM ; Mentioned, :;,ss. 
7HI Douoghne, Patrick— Woun<led, 242; Mentioned, :!72, W'.i. 

Duncan, William — Corporal, see No. 757. 

Duidcer. William — Corporal, see Xo 75:. 
7S1 Kdwaids, .lolin — Died in si'rvice, IHO. 
7t;2 Edwards, ,Iosei)h— Deshler. O. Mentioned, ;iS,>s. 

Edwards, S<|Uire C— Sergeant, see Xo, 724, 
78:J Figlev, Simon- Died at Nev, (). Mentioned. :l'.il. 
7f>4 F'isher, Albert W,— .Mentio'ned, 41:!, 
7.S5 Friend, .loseph — Mentione<l, 41:;. 
780 Friend, William H.— Died ai wounds. 17S, 17'.i, 

787 Gable. Michael— Died of wounds. 242. 

788 Gartner, :Manlins— Mentioneil, 217. 

781> (ietz, .Samuel— Died at Xap(deon. O. Mentioued, I(i7. 

790 Gibson, Isaac X—Xew Weston, (). Wounded, ;-!5 1 ; portrait. :;27 ; meiitioicd.il::. 

791 Gilpin, Alfred L— Henry, Ills. Served under name of Harrison Lee; wounded.:!. 

mentioued. 41:^. 
Gorlock, I-'raneis M, — Corporal, see Xo. 751. 

792 Gorrell, Daniel— Mentioned, 41::, 

793 Greeu,,samuel— F. S. M. H., Davtoii, (). Wonndnl. 2:;o : P.. 2::l ; M.. 212. 41::. 440. 

794 Gunter, David— Mentioned. 41::. 

795 Hair, Daniel W. — Died in service, 210. 
Hair, James W, — Ciu'poral, see Xo. 7.>5. 

790 Halev. James S.—Xetlle Lake. O. Wound. 'd, 212: porlrait, 2-52 ; mentioned, 11:!, 
797 Ham'ilton, Charles X,— Mentioned, :i><s. 

Hanson. James H. — First .Sergeant, see Xo. .is. 



470 OPDYCKE TIGERS, 

COMPANY l.—EiiUstrd Mm — Continued. 

798 Uardv. .lolni .1.— Fl(jrida, O. Mentioned. -ll;! 

79!) Hiithold, Edward— Died April li'i, IHSO. Wounded, 3)1 : mentioned, -ll:!. 

sou Hill. MicluK'l— Died at Napoleon O. Wounded, 180 ; mentioned, -4l:i. 

Hil Ilousweitt. .lacoli— Dieii in serviee, 1-17. 

802 Hudson, Jolin— Died at Napoli'on. () Mentioned, llo. 

803 Jaeoby, K. G.— Pleu.sant Grove. Kans. SiM-veil under name of Augustus .Iaeol)s : Por- 

trait, 417. 
801 .lustiee. Samuel .\.—.Strylcer, () I'cinniil. lls; mentioned, 413. 
80") Kelly, John— Mentioned. o7-'. 

Kessler, ICIijah — Corporal, .see Xo. Viiii. 

806 Kibl)le.. John— Mentioned. 11-!. 

807 IviuK, .loini 14.— Missing, November. ls(;4, at Stevenson, Ala. 
Lee, Harrison— See A. L. Gilpiu, No, 791. Mentioned, 334, 413. 

808 Lon-jsmith, Henry- Died at Detianee. ()— Wounded, 179; discharged, 301. 

809 MeHenry, William— Napoleon, t). Mentioned, ;i.").j. 

810 Mikesell". Crowell— Winehester, Ark. Portrait. 3s(;: mentioned, 38.'. 413. 

811 Milburn. Kdw.ird E.— Mentioned. 413. 

812 Miller, George— Bowling Green. (J. Portrait. HI: mentioned, 113. 
!S13 Miller, Ohio— Riehmond, Ind. Mentioned. 41-. 

814 Miller, Charles— Lake View, la. Wounded. 180: portrait. 431 : meulicuied. 41:;. 
81.') Mnsser. .lacob— Deeeased. Wounded, 242: discharged, ^88. 

816 Nason, .lob— Versailles, O. Portrait. 407 : mentioned. 41:'.. 

817 Pepple. .lames— Mentioned, 4i:!. 

818 Phillii>s, David S. — Athens, (). Wonjulcd. -:'. i : captured :;17 : p,)Mrait, 3:;j : m.. 394. 
Phillips, Henrv— Corporal : see No. (.">!. 

819 Pool, Frederi(4<— Died at Antwerii, o .M<'iiliciiica. 217. 

820 Porter, Anthony- Died of wounds, 2'.o. 

821 Porter, Benjamin . I. — Democracy. O. .Mentioned, 2--:l. It:. 
Porter. KhU'U K.- Ileal name E. K. Daley; .see No 77.'i. 

822 Primmer, Sjmoii P. Corporal : see No. 7:-i8. 

823 Prince, .lames E.—Hinlon, W. Va. Mentioned. 3.14. 

824 Padel, Albert— Mentioned. 413. 
Rath, George— Corjioi'sil : see No. 7J'.i. 

82.) Richardson. Daniel— Wo\inded. 2.')l : meiil ioned. :!:i|. 

826 Richardson. Oliver— Died of wounds, l,.s. 17i. 
Richmond, Thomas— .'^ee ('(Unjiany .\. No. M : meulioned. )l:i. 

827 Roberts. William C -Wounded at Uesaca. 

828 Rockalield, .lohn C. — Deceased. -Mentjoiicd. Ii::. -^ 
Roessler. Piehard— Sergeant : see .No. / 12. 

829 .Sevdler, (Justave— .Mentioned, lb!. 
,s:W Shear, John I'. — Mentioned. ;'.ns. 

831 Sheets, William C— Died of wound. 272: mentioned, 2.s2. 

832 Spronce, Jerome— Transferred to \eleran Reserve Corps. .March, 1861. 
Steele. Reubin M.— Sergeant: see No. 7li. 

Stoner, John W.— Sergeant; see No. 710. 

833 Stull, (ieorge H.-Roseville, O. Meiitb.ned. 217, 41:'.. 

834 Swihart, William N.— Meuti(Uied, 113.. 
83,5 Tullbrd, William — Mentioned, ll:i. 

y^i] Weber, August- Died in si^rvice, Menli<uied. 242, 413 

We'imer, William <i.— Sergeant ; see No 745. 

Wet/,, Charles-Coriioral . see No. 7.iO. 
8;i7 Whart(ui, (Jeorge- Died in servii-e, 21i'i. 
.838 Wise, .'^■amuel — Mentioned, 261. 
8:?9 Worlh, Frank C— Woundc<l, 212. 
.840 Wretherl'oril, William— Mentioned, 41:".. 
,841 Wright, Martin L.— Dieil in service. lOi. 
842 Young, .lohn — Died near Findlay, O. Caidured. 3.-4. 
84:1 Zeller. Peter— P.elmore. (). Portrait. :s'>: nu'Utioned. 413 
sil Zufall, Elijah .1. "Mentioned. 41:1. 

COMPANY K. 

Caplnin. 

Sterling Mau(hester— Killed in battle. Portrait, 272; mentioned, 12, I:!. 197, 272. 
Alcxauiler Diek.siui— Cunfield. O. Portraits, 1(1, 3 8; mentioned, 301, 3 ti. :;78, :!79, :!S0 

387. : '.92, 121, 12 >, 427. 43:t, I I '. 1 18 : seeCompanvA. 
Hezekiah N, Ste,idman-De<-cascd. P..i;2: m..;,9i, mi, in!, ii:!; see Company E. 

I'ir^l l.!r,ll,inuil. 

Waldeni S. W illiams— I'ral I's iMjrk.n. l'..:l.'>6: m.. 197. :102, :'.77 ; i>ro..seeCo. !•:. 
Alexander II. Pn^tlcwair Orrville. d. P.. 2l:l, :!-i.s : m.. :'..)9, 37.H, lo:), ll:i. 121,141. I .0; 
see < 'oinpany 1''. 



ROSrER-JNDEX. 471 



COMPANY \i.— V<niVuiiUil. 
Siroml I.ii iitiiirnil. 

SannH'l Iliikes— Mcntiotied, li)7,2 ti. 

Kit-hark K. Hulse— Kiusnuiii, C). P.. Ts. ::()7 : m., 217, 2"\. :;(r2: i)r(i., sof ((inipaiiv c 

Charles M. Malthy— Soattlf, Wash. Portrait. 'IW; iiu'iitioiuMl. ^I(i. -11:;. 

Firi't S'r(]i(iiil. 

845 William J. Jones— Died in service, 37>i. 

846 Charles M. Maltby— Promoted, see above. 

St r<iniiil. 

847 James Wetzel — Killed in battle. 2|-J. 2(iS. 

848 Josiah W. Morfran— Hlast Plvmotuli, •». Woiindeil. :!r)l : ii..:;(Ui- ni 41:! 4''4 A'ir, 
819 John Porter-Mentioned. 41^. 

850 Oreii V. Payne— Wonnded, 212: mentidnetl, 41:^. 

Sol .bihn K. Kathburn— Big Knn. (). I'ortrait. i:;i : nieniioiio<l. 41:'.. 4:i7. 

8-52 .lohn 1". sherer-Mentioned. 4i:!. 

H'tn Montezuma Si. .lolm— Calamus, la. Mentioned. 414. 

854 Janu's A. Ferris -Chica.ico. 111. Portrait, 1S7 : mentioned, .Tss. 

855 Daniel W. Mathews— Mentioned, 414. 
85G David Slialler— ^Mentioned, lU. 

857 James M. Carter -Kitanin.u, (). Woundeil. 212 ; portrait. 2.">:i: menlioned. 414 

858 Channeev W. Amidon— Aslitabnia, ( ». Mentioned. 41 1 

859 Thomas Cibbons— Mentioned 411. 

860 John Croneh — Deceased. Mentioned. 414. I4,s. 

861 Heiir\ Welling — Wonnded, 212. ::."> I ; nu'ntioned. ;!7i;. 

862 William R. Carr— Mentioned, 4i 1. 

Eidisfnl Mm. 

863 Abljott. John — .Mentioned, :is8. 

864 Altroe. .John S.— Little Hoeking, O. Portrait, 429 , mentioned, 414. 
Amidon. C. W. — Coriioral, see No, S."iS. 

865 Amidon. Nathaniel D.— Plvmouth, O. Mentioned, ;i94. 

866 Amy, Major P.— Portrait, 429; mentioned, :!7(i, 414. 
.867 Andre. Whitlield Woiinned, :i.54 : mentioned. M.s**. 

868 Atwood, William H.— Mentioned, :^'.H. 

869 Barnes, Da\id — Died in service, 3'i2. 

870 Border. David— Died of wonnds, 242. 

871 Brandeberry. .lohn H.— Frost Station, (). Wounded. 2.'i2 : t)ortrait 2VI ■ m ;h<)4 

872 Bnrley. Kli— Shade, O. Mentioned, 414. 
Carr, William K,— Corjjoral, see No. 862. 
Carr. James M.- Corporal, see No. 857. 

87:? Chisom, Byron- Mentioned, :-i88. 

874 Cleveland, Alexander W.— Died in service. 216. 

875 Coon, Perry — Died in service, 216, 
Crouch, John— Corporal, see Xo,.860, 

876 Curtis, Adelbert— Mentioned. :S9). 

877 Dailey, .Michael— Mentioned, .388. 

878 Davison, William— .Mentioned. 414. 
Ferris, James \.— Cori)oral, see No, 854. 

879 Finsterwald, Chharles— Died March, l.sS".; mentioned, 414 ; portrait, 436, 

880 Finsterwald, .lacob-Mentioned. 414. 

881 Fo.\. David — Dieil at Riverport, O, Mentioned, 414, 434, 4m. 

882 France, William II,— Big Run, O. Wounded, 262: discharged, 402, 
88:i Fulton, Franklin— Mentioned. :!77, 40S. 

884 Fulton, Rol>ert L.—Judson, (). Wounded, 2.S2: i)ortrait, 278 ; mentioned, 414. 

885 Fulton, Zephaniah— .\lheiis, t). Portrait, 12:!: mentioned, 414. 

886 Furgason, Noah W,— Cherokee. la. Portrait. 42 i : mentioneil, 114. 
(iil)bons, Thomas — Corporal, see No. 8i9, 

887 Hackett, Warren S.— F.a,xt . 'Saginaw, Mich. Mentioned. 114. 

888 Hall, Hamlin- Left in June, 1.S65. 

.888 Ilalstead. Daniel S.— Diamond Springs, Mich. Wounded. 242 : mentioned. 414. 

890 Hardman, , lohn— Palmyra, Ind. Woundeded, 272 : mentioned, 114. 

891 Harman, Henjamlii — Mentioned, 414. 

892 Howells, .Sam'nel D.— Washington, D. C. Portraits, 279, 415: mentioned, 376, 

893 Jeft'ers, William— Shade, O. Portrait, 427 : mentioned, 414. 
Jones. William J. — First Sergeant, see No. s;45. 

894 Kilburn. Benjamin J — Wotmded, 273: mentioned, :W1. 

895 Knaj)]), David— Mentioned, 414. 
.896 Knai)]). Nicholas— Mentioned, 414. 



472 OPDYCKK TIGERS, 

(■(IMI'AXV K.— ICtiliKfnl Mni^-lniiliiiNnl. 

s<.)' Kohlcr. DiUiiel — Arizdiia. XcIj. Dischai-Kt-'ti, IdT. 

s'.is l,ani]ilif!ir. (ioorgo \V.— I)ii(l in Anik'T-sonville prisdu : nifiilidiu'd :;(i ;. 

Sill) Liiiiiviici.', Al)ram— Died in si-rvice, :!!('>. 

l.oifl, Tlciiry— Promott'il to IJnarterinastcr Serjeant ; si-c Nn. i'>. 
'MO l>()\viv. Morris R.— Mentioneil, 4.4. 
901 Lutz.'l-:rnst— Died in service, 216. 
".102 Lyman, (ieorge \V.— Conneant, O. 
W.i Lyman. Henry— Coniicant. O. Wounded, 242. 

Mallby, Charles M.— Sergeant and Lieutenant : .see No. H4i>. 
;«i4 Masters, (i. Heury— Prospect, () Portrait, :iii(> : mentioneiL 414. }:;7. 11; 
>in.') Masters. .losepli l).—Thom))sou. Xeb. Portrait. M07 : uu'iitioncd. 11. i:l 
'.•;() McCollum. (ieorge— Killed in battle. 2:iO, 2:^1. 

Mathews. Daniel W.— Corporal, see \o. SO.'). 
<)07 Meeker. Charles-Mentioned. 4 4. 
OOS Meuen..hieob— Mentioned, 111. 
'.lO'.l Miller, William 11.— Killed Hi battle, 2iiti. 

1)10 Nbiler, David— Wounded, 212 : portrait, :. 70 : inentionc<l. 414. 4 in. 
<ni .Moley. .lose]ih — Missing. Dec Iti, IMVl, at Xashville : iiortrait. Hi. 

.Morgan, .losiah W. — Sergeant, see No. st.s. 
'.112 Orr. Oscar— Pratt's Fork. O. Portrait, im : mentioned. 41 1. 
'.)!:! overniyer, (ieorge— Mentioned, )14. 

Payne, "Oren V.— Sergeant, see No. s.V'. 

I'ortcr, .lohn — .Sergeant. See No. .S4'.i. 

Kathburn. .lohn H.— Sergeant, see No. .s.V2. 
'.d 4 Robinson, Lewis A.— Mentioned, 317, 4i'.s. 
01') .Saudcrs, Michael- Denver, Col. Mentione(l. ill. 

Shaller, David— Corjioral, see No. .S.')(i. 

Sherer, .lohn F.— Sergeant, .see No. .s.'il. 
OlCi Sikes, Herbert v.— .lelfer.son, O. Portrait. -wt : mentioned, :.!.s."). 421. IJf 
'.117 Sleinel. William— Killed iu battle, 2:!0. 
Ids Smith. William— De (iraff. f>. Portrait. 4:'. J : mentioned, :!.'*. 

St. .I(din. >bintezuma— Corporal : see No. .s"::. 
".d'.i Swell, IMniond — Lake View. Mich. \\'(inn<led, 202 ; mentioned. :;'.il 
!l2li Swell, .lohn -Died of wounds. 202. 

'.L'l Swift, Horace F.—Dieil at Shetlield, <>. Mentioned. 111. 
'.122 Walch, .loseidi— Cleveland, (). Mentioned, :!.ss. 
'.12.". Walker, Henrv A.— Died of wounds. :10",. :10'.). 
021 Warner, .lohn— Jh'Utioned. 114. 

Welling. Heni-y- Corporal : seeNo. soi. 
'.rj.'i Welling. William — Wounded, ;!."i4 : lneution^■d. 414. 
020 Warren. Henry— .lefferson, (). Portrait, !:i2 ; mentioneil. 111. 

Wet/el, .lames— Sergeant : see Xo. M7. 
!I27 Willis Francis— Killed in battle, Hii.'). TOO. 
92S Woolev, Ira— Mountville, (). Portrait. :>J : menlioned. 111. 
020 Wolcoit. Ferri.s— Mentioned. ;;o:!. 
OMO Young, William— Mentioned. 111. 



FOUETH AiniY CORPS 

In Atlanta Campaign. 

Ma.). Gen. Oliver O. Howard, CoiikI'k l'> -'"ly 27. Ma.;. (iEN. Davuj S. .Stanley. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Maj. Gen. D. S. Stanley, to .Inly 27. Brig. Gen. X.\than Kimhai.l. 

First Brigade— Brig. Geu. Charle.s Crcft, to .Tune 10 ; Col. Isaac M. Kirby. 21st Illi' 
nois, Maj. J. E. Calloway, to June 21: Capt. W. H.Jamison. 38th Illiuois, Lieut. Col. 
W. T. Chapman. 3Ist ludiaua, Col. J. T. Smith. 8lst Indiana, Lieut. Col. W. C. Wheeler. 
1st Kentucky, mustered out iu June, Col. D. A. Enyart. 2nd Kentucky, mustered out iu 
June, Lieut. Col. J. R. Hurd. 90th Ohio, Lieut. Col. S. X. Yeoman. 101st Ohio, Col. 1. M. 
Kirby, to June 10; Lieut. Col. B. B. McDanald. 

Second Brigade.— Brig. Gen. \V. C. Whitaker, to June 30 ; Col. Jacob E. Tayloh. Otith 
Illinois, Col. T. E. Champion, wounded; Maj. George Hick.s. 115th Illinois, Col. J. II. 
Moore. 35th Indiana, Maj. J. p. Dufficy, killed; Lieut. Col. A. G. Tassin. 84th Indiaiuu 
Lieut. Col. A. J. Nefp; Capt. J. C. Taylor. 21.st Kentucky, Col. S. W. Price, woiinde<l : 
Lieut. Col. J. C. Evans. 40th Ohio, Col. J. E. Taylor ; Capt. C. G. Matchett. wounded ; 
Capt. M. Kemper, l-ith Ohio, transferred from Twenty-third Corps June 22. ('apt. J. H. 
Hi'mphrey. 51st Ohio, Lieut. Col. J. E. Cummins; Capt. J. A. Bope. itiith Ohio, trans- 
ferred to Twenty-third Corps June 22. 

Third Brigade.— Brig. Gen. William Grose; Col. J. E. Bennett. .'>9th Illinois, Col" 
P. Sidney Post. 75th Illinois, Col. J. E. Bennett; Lieut. Col. W. M. Kilcoir. 80th Illi 
nois, Lieut. Col. W. M. Kilgour, to June 7 ; Maj. J. M. Stookey. 84th Illinois, Col. L. H . 
Waters. 9th Indiana, Col. I. C. B. Suman. 30th Indiana, Lieut. Col. O. D. Hurd. 36th 
Indiana, Lieut. Col. O. H. P. Carey. 77th Pennsylvania, Capt. J. J. Lawson, to June 7; 
Col. Thomas E. Rose. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Brig. Gen. John Newton. 

First Brigade.— Col. F. T. Sherman, to May 22; Brig. Gen. X. Kimi'.ali,, to August 4; 
Col. Emerson Opdycke. 3t>th Illinois, Col. Silas Miller, mortally wounded June 27 ; 
Capt. J. B. McXeal, to August 24; Lieut. Col. P. C. Olson. 44th Illinois, Col. W. W. 
Barrett; Lieut. Col. .Tohn Russell. 73rd Illinois, Maj. T. W. Motherspaw. 74th Illinois, 
Col. J. Marsh, to June 10 ; Lieut. Col. James B. Kerr, mortally wounded, June 27 ; Capt. 
T. J. Bry-an. 88th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Geokge W. Chandler, killed: Lieut. Col. G. W. 
Smith. 2nd Missouri, Col. B. Laiboldt. 15th Missouri, Col. J. Conhah. 24th Wisconsin 
Lieut. Col. T. S. West, wounded ; Maj. .\rthur Mc.\rthuh. 

Second Brigade.— Brig. Gen. Geor(;e D. Wagner; Col. J. W. Blake, from July 10 to 
25 : Brig. Gen. George D. Wagner. 100th Illinois, Col. F. A. Bartleson, killed ; Maj. C. M. 
H.VMMOND. 40th ludiaua. Col. J. W. Blake; Lieut. Col. H. Leaming. .57th Indiana, 
Lieut. Col. G. W. Lennard, killed: Lieut. Col. Willis Blanch. 28th Kentucky, Lieut- 
Col. J. R. Boone, wounded : Maj. G. W. Barth. 2t'.th Ohio. Lieut. Col. W. H. Squires, sick 
June 19 to July 5; Maj. N. T. Peatman, wounded ; Capt. L.D.Adair; Lieut. Col. W. II 
Squires. 97th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes, to June 10 ; fol. J. q. Lane. 



SECOND DIVISK )S .—Coiiliininl. 

Third Brifiiidi .—Brig. Gen. t'H.vKi.Ks G. Hai:ki:i;, killed : Brig. Gk.n. Lither P. Buaij- 
].KY. 22ud Illinois, mustered out in June, Lieut. Col. F. Swanwick. 27th Illiuois, mus- 
tered out in August, Lieut. Col. W. A. Schmitt. 42nd Illiuois, Lieut. Col. E. D. Swain, 
wounded : Capt. J. W. Richards: Ma.i. K. A. Atwater, from August S. ."ilst Illinois, Col. 
L. P. Bradley ; Capt. T. F. Bruwx; Capt. A. M. Tilton. 79th Illinois, Col. Ali.en Brcu- 
NER, wounded: Lieut. Col. H. E. Rives: Ma.i. Terrence Clark: Capt. O. O. Ba<;ley : 
Lieut. Col. T. Clark. 3rd Kentucky, Col. H. C. Dunlap; Capt. John \V. Ti-ttle: Colonel 
DixLAP. (i-lth Ohio, Col. A. McIlyain, killed: Ma,i. S. L. Cdvlter: Lieut. Col. R. C. 
BK(nvN. iMth Ohio, liieut. Col. H. N. Whitbeck, wounded ; Capt. C. O. Taxnehill: Maj. 
< )i;i.<iw Smith. 12.')th Ohio, Col. E.mersox Ordycke: Lt. Col. David H. Moore, from May 14. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Brk;. Gen. Thomas J. Wood. 

First Britiailf. —hrig. Gen. Ai'GvstWillich, wounded : Col. Wii.j.la.m 11. Gibson : Col. 
C. T. Hotchkiss. 25th Illinois, Col. R. H. Nodine. 35th Illinois, Lieut. Col.W. P. Chan- 
dler. 89th Illinois, Col. C. T. Hotchkiss : Lieut. Col. W. D. Williams. 32nd Indiana, Col. 
F. Erdelmeyer. sth Kansas, Col. John A. Martin, to Aug. 1 ; Lieut. Col. J. M. Graham. 
1,5th Ohio, COL. William Wallace; Lieut. Col. Frank A.skew. 49th Ohio, Col. \V. 11. 
Gibson; Lieut. Col. 8. F. Gray. 15th Wisconsin, Maj. Georoe Wilson, to July 2-1 ; I.icut. 
Col. O. C. Johnson. 

Second Brigade— Brig. Gen. A\'. B. Hazen, to August 17; Col. O. H. Payne: Col. P. 
Sidney Post. 6th Indiana, Lieut. Col. C. D. Campbell, ,5th Kentucky, Col. W. W. BerPvY. 
6th Kentucky, Maj. R. T. Whitaker ; Capt. I. N. John.ston. 23rd Kentucky, Lieut. Col. J. C. 
FoY, wounded : Miij. G. W. Northup. 1st Ohio, Ma.i. J. A. Staekord. 6th Ohio, Col. 
N. L. Anderson, list Ohio, Lieut. Col. R. L. Kimkerlv. 93rd Ohif), Lieut. Col. Daniel 
Bowman : 124th Ohio. Col. O. H. Payne; Lieut. Col. James Pkkands; Col. O. H. Payne. 

Third Brigdilr.— Brig. Geu. S. Beatty ; Col. Frederick Knefler. 79th Indiana. Col. 
K. Knefler: Lieut. Col. S. Oyxer, to June 28: Maj. GEoiuiE W. Parker, wounded : Capt. 
J. G. DiNBAR, captured; Capt. E. F. Ritter. 86th Indiana, Col. George F. Dick. 9th 
Kentucky, Lieut. Col. C. D. Bailey, to June 28: Col. George H. Cram. 17th Kentucky, 
Col. A. M. Stout. 13th Ohio, Col. Dwight Jarvis, Jr., to May 23 ; Maj. J. T. Snider. 19th 
Ohio, Col. Charles F. Manderson, wounded; Lieut. Col. H. G. Stratton. 59th Ohio, 
Col. Granville A. Frambes, captured : Capt. C. A. Siieaee, to June 26: Capt. J. L. Watson : 
Capt. R. H. Higgins. 

Artillery Bri(iaflr.—}.la.}.TiH)M.\sO>'nnn>i: Capt. Ly.man Bridges. Battery M, 1st Illi- 
nois Light, Capt. George W. Spencer. Bridges' Battery, Illinois Light, Lieut. L. A. 
White. .5th Battery, Indiana Light, Capt. A. Morrison. Battery A, 1st Ohio Light, Cajit. 
Wilbur F. Goodspeed. Battery M, 1st Ohio Light, Capt. F. Schultz. 6th Battery. Ohio 
Light, Capt. Cullen Bradley. Battery B, Pennsylvania Light, Capt. Jacob Ziegler. 



FOURTH ARMY CORPS 
At Fraxki.ix and Nashville. 

1. Ma,t. Gen. David S. Stanley*, Coin'dK. 'J. Br.iG. Gen. Thomas .1. Wdoi), Com'dg. 

FIRi^T DIVISION. 

Bru;. Gen. Nathan Klmbai.i.. 

First Brigade.— Co\. Is.^.vc M. Kirbv. "Jlst Illinois, Caiit. W. H. .Ia.mi.son; 38th Illiuoi.s. 
Cai>t. A. M. Pollard ; olst Indiana, Col. .Tohn T. Smith ; Mst Indiana, Maj. E. G. Mathev ; 
90th Ohio, Lieut. Col. S. N. Yeoman : 101st Ohio. Lieut. Col. B. B. McDanald. 

Second Briqadc.— Brig. Gen. W. C. Whitaker. 9fith Illinois, Ma.i. George Hkks: 
lloth Illinoi.s, Col. J. H. Moore: li-'ith Indiana. Lieut, Col. A. G. Tassin: 21st Keutuckv. 
Lieut. Col. J, C. Evans: 23rd Kentueky. Lieut. Col. G. W. Northip; 40th Ohio, Lieut. Col. 
James Watson : 45th Ohio. Lieut. Col. J. H. Humphrey : 51st Ohio, Lieut. Col. C. H. \Voon. 

Tliird Briqarle. —Brig. Gen. William Grose. 7oth Illinois, Col. John E. Bennett: 
80th Illinois, Capt. J. Cunningham: 84th Illinois, Col. L. H. Waters*, Lieut. Col. C. H. 
Morton; 9th Indiana, Col. I. C. B, Suman ; .30th Indiana, Capt. H. W. Lawton ; S4th In- 
diana. Ma.i. John C. Taylor; 77th Pennsylvania, Col. Tho.mas E. Rose. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Brig. Gen. George D. Wagner; Brig. Gen. W. L. ELi.ioTTtt- 

First Brigade.— Co]. E.merson Oi-dvi ke. ."I'.th Illinois, Lieut. Col. P. C. OlsenJ, Mai. 
L. P. HoLDEN "(88th Illinois) : 44th Illinois. Lieut. Col. John Risseli,, Capt. A. W. Clark ; 
73rd Illinois, Maj. Thomas W. Mothersi>.\\v;. Capt. Wilson Burroughs; 74th and 88th Illi- 
nois. Lieut. Col. George W. Smith : 125th Ohio, Capt. E. P. BATES.^Iaj. Joseph Brukf; 
24th Wisconsin, Ma.i. Arthur Mc.\rthur1|, Capt. E. B. Par.sons, Capt, William Kennedy. 

Second Bri(iade.—Coh. John Q. Lane. 100th Illinois, Lieut. Col. C. M. Ha:\imoni): 
40th Indiana, Lieut. Col. Henry Leaming ; .')7th Indiana. Lieut. Col. Willis Blan< Hi;. Maj. 
John S. McGraw; 28th Keutuckv, Ma.i. GEoR(iEW. Barth, Lieut. Col. J. Rowan Boone; 
26th Ohio, Capt. Wji. Clark ; 97th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Milton Barnes^, Capt. C. C. Nichols. 

Third Brigade.— Brig. Gen. L. P. Bradley*! : Col. Joseph Conrad, 42iid Illinois, IMa.j. 

F. A, Atwater, Lieut, Col, Edg.vr I). Swain ; 51st Illinois, Capt. A. M, TiltonII, Capt M, B, 
Atwater, Capt, A, M. Tilton ; 79th Illinois, Col, .\llen Buckner: 15th Missouri. Col. J. 
Conrad, Capt, Geo. Ernst ; (i4th Ohio, Lt, Col. R, C, Brown ; 65th Ohio. Ma.j. Orlow S.mith. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Brig. Gen, Thomas J, Wooii ; Brig. (Jen. S.\muel Be.\ttv. 

First Bri(iade.—Ca\. Abel D. Streight. 89th Illinois, Lieut, Col. W. D.Williams: 
51st Indiana, Capt. W. W. Scearce ; 8th Kansas, Lieut. Col. John Conover; 1.5th Ohio, 
Col. Frank AsKEWi;, Lieut. Col. John McClenahan: 49th Ohio. Ma.j. L. M. Strong;;, Ca)>t. 
Daniel Hartsough. 

Second Brigade— Co\. P. S. Post!;, Lieut. Col. R. L. Kimberly. -'lOth Illinois, Maj. Jas. 
M. Stookey : 41st Ohio, Lieut. Col. R. L. Kimberly. Capt. E. Duniia.m ; 71st Ohio. Lieut. 
Col. James H. Hart§, Capt. W. H. McClure; O.^rd Ohio, Lieut. Col. Daniel Bowman : 124th 
Ohio, Lieut. Col. J.4MES Pickands. 

Third Brigade.— Br\g. Gen. S. Beatty, Col. F. Kneflei;. 79th Indiana, Lieut. Col. 

G. W. Parker: '86th Indiana. Col. George F. Diuk: 13th Ohio, Maj. Jf)SEPH T. Snider: 
19th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Henry G. Stratton. 

Artillery Brigaele.— Capt. Lym.vn Bridges*-, Maj. Wilbur F. GooDspEEntt- Bridges' 
Batterv, Illinois Light-----: 25th Batterv, Indiana Light; Batterv E, 1st Michigan Light: 
Battery A, 1st Ohio Light-; 6th Battery, Ohio Light; 20th Battery, Ohio Light-: Bat- 
tery B," Pennsylvania Light : Batter.\- .M, ith I'. S. .Vrtillery. 



» Wounded at Franklin; t tempuraril.v attadieil; J killed at Franklin: || wounded at Franklin: Swound- 
ed at Nashville; 1 wounded at Sprine Hill: *» at Franklin, nut engaged at Xashville; tt in command at 
Nashville. 




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